Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz’s suspension has concluded after he agreed to a three-month ban for violating the ICC Anti-Doping Code. The ban will be reduced to one month upon completion of a substance abuse treatment program. Nawaz, aged 32, tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a byproduct of cannabis, after an anti-doping test post Pakistan’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7.
Carboxy-THC, an inactive metabolite of THC, the main psychoactive component in cannabis, is detected in standard urine drug tests due to its extended presence in the body. Nawaz acknowledged the breach but clarified to the ICC that the substance was used out-of-competition and not related to enhancing sports performance. The ICC imposed a three-month ineligibility period, retroactive to May 1, 2026, when Nawaz began a voluntary provisional suspension.
Upon Nawaz’s acceptance of the sanction and commitment to the substance abuse treatment program, his provisional suspension has been lifted after serving a two and a half month suspension. The ICC, satisfied with Nawaz’s explanation, reduced the ban to just one month following the completion of the approved treatment. Nawaz will not face any further ineligibility if he successfully completes the substance abuse program to the ICC’s satisfaction.
As per the ICC Anti-Doping Code, Nawaz’s individual records from the T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands on February 7 and all subsequent matches until May 1 have been officially invalidated. During the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, Nawaz played in all seven matches for Pakistan, where the team exited in the Super Eights stage. He had a modest performance, scoring 15 runs and taking seven wickets. In the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Nawaz represented Multan Sultans, contributing 54 runs and six wickets in 10 games. Recently, he obtained clearance to play for Galle Gallants in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
