All Pakistan Cricketers Who Have Been Banned Due To Drug Usage

Shoaib Akhtar Mohammad Nawaz Yasir Shah IPL 2026 (Source: AFP)

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has come under serious scrutiny after testing positive for recreational drug use during the 2026 T20 World Cup. Following the positive test result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has initiated a formal investigation. 

The matter was referred to the board by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which looks after global cricket regulations. Subsequently, the PCB initiated its disciplinary process to carefully assess the situation. Nawaz's deal to join Surrey for the T20 Blast in England has fallen through as a result.

The world has been a witness to many sports stars falling into the drug trap and subsequently being punished for using drugs. The severity of the Mohammad Nawaz drug case has once again brought the “spirit of sport” back into the spotlight. 

In that context, here is a list of Pakistan cricketers banned for doping charges. 

List of Pakistan cricketers who have been banned due to drug usage

Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, 2006

In October 2006, legendary Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were banned for using the prohibited drug, namely steriod nandrolone (19-Norandrosterone) before the ICC Champions Trophy.

The PCB judiciary banned Akhtar for 2 years and Asif for 1 year. The players originally claimed they were using supplements for injury recovery.

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Even the high presence of nandrolone which led to his positive tests was initially attributed to Akhtar’s rehabilitation from knee and ankle injuries that kept him out of action for six months. The ban severed test of his character and dedication to the sport.

It not only prevented them from playing the game at the international level but also stopped them from receiving any direct or indirect funding from the board and any of its affiliated units for their training.

Raza Hasan, 2015

Former Pakistan left-arm spinner Raza Hasan was banned for two years in May 2015 after failing a dope test. Hasan, then 22, tested positive for a prohibited substance (reported as cocaine) during a domestic tournament in January 2015. He failed to request a hearing within the 14-day deadline, leading to the ban.

Yasir Shah, 2015

A premier Pakistani leg-spinner, best known for becoming the fastest bowler in Test history to 200 wickets, Yasir Shah, was banned for three months by the ICC after testing positive for chlortalidone, a prohibited diuretic. 

In February 2016, Shah admitted to mistakenly taking his wife’s blood pressure medication, resulting in a backdated suspension from December 27, 2015, to March 27, 2016, causing him to miss the Asia Cup and World T20. 

Ahmed Shehzad, 2018

Another Pakistani cricketer, a prominent batter, Ahmed Shehzad, in July 2018, was banned for four months after testing positive for a prohibited substance (metandienone) during a domestic tournament. 

The ban was later extended by six weeks after he played in a local cricket match while serving his suspension, resulting in a total ban lasting until December 2018.

Also read: List Of Indian Cricketers Who Have Been Banned For Doping