ICC Suspends Batter Who Smashed Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 Record Deemed Invalid

ICC suspends batter who smashed Pakistan in UAE [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, the ICC has suspended Asif Khan, one of the mainstays of the UAE cricket team, for violating its anti-doping regulations. Asif Khan rose to prominence following his whirlwind knock against Pakistan in the Tri-Nation series, which was played days before the Asia Cup 2025. 

The ICC, on August 27, announced a 15-month suspension for UAE batter Asif Khan for breaching its anti-doping policy. Asif was part of the UAE playing XI that took on India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. 

UAE's Asif Khan suspended by ICC for using banned drug

In its official statement, the ICC revealed that Asif Khan has been suspended from competitive cricket for a period of 15 months for breaching article 2.1 of the ICC anti-doping code. He has been found guilty of using a metabolite of mesterolone, which is a banned drug for cricket professionals. 

The ICC disclosed that Asif Khan had undergone an out-of-competition test on September 8, a day prior to the commencement of the Asia Cup 2025. Therefore, his 15-month suspension period has been backdated to that particular date and will keep him out of action until December 7 2026. 

Asif Khan's cricket record from September 8 to December 29 2025 deemed invalid

The out-of-competition drug test was conducted on September 8, and the Asia Cup kicked off on the 9th of the month. As Asif Khan was handed a provisional suspension on December 29 and now has been handed a 15-month suspension, his cricketing record in this period have been deemed invalid. 

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Asif Khan made it into the UAE's Asia Cup 2025 squad through a string of impressive performances in the Tri-Series, where he smashed Pakistan on home soil. He scored 125 runs at a blistering strike rate of 176.06, with 77 of those runs coming against Pakistan in the second match of the competition. 

Although the United Arab Emirates lost the encounter, Asif earned massive praise for his 35-ball 77, studded with six boundaries and as many sixes. 

Having said that, Asif Khan couldn't replicate similar success in the Asia Cup 2025, managing only four runs in three innings. While he registered a four-ball duck against Pakistan, the Indian side sent him packing for a seven-ball two in the tournament. 

When will Asif Khan be eligible for a comeback to competitive cricket?

As the ICC revealed, UAE batter Asif Khan will be allowed to train with players from an ICC member organisation and can use the facilities of cricket clubs affiliated to the official cricketing bodies in October 2026. However, he will be eligible to make a comeback to competitive cricket from December 8 after serving his 15-month suspension period. 

Asif Khan's career and stats: How has the suspended batter performed in international cricket?

Asif Khan has played 94 international matches, including 56 T20Is and 38 ODIs, for the United Arab Emirates. He has scored 1270 ODI runs with the help of three hundreds and 7 fifties at an average of 38.5. 

On the other hand, the middle-order batter has had a topsy-turvy T20I career, amassing 1302 runs at a modest average of 28.3 with a highest score of 79. 

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