Pakistan cricket team during ICC T20 World Cup 2026 | PC- AFP
In a shocking update, the ICC has banned Mohammad Nawaz after the Pakistan all-rounder for breaching the ICC Anti-Doping Code.
Nawaz had tested positive for a Substance of Abuse earlier in the year during Pakistan's fixture against the Netherlands in the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo.
ICC bans Mohammad Nawaz for three months
On Friday, the ICC announced Mohammad Nawaz's ban, stating that the Pakistan all-rounder has admitted the offence of using the substance out of competition during the 2026 T20 World Cup.
"The 32-year-old had tested positive for a Substance of Abuse (Carboxy-THC) under the ICC Anti-Doping Code following a doping test carried out after Pakistan’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 7 February," the ICC said in a press release.
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"Nawaz admitted to the offence and demonstrated that the substance had been used out-of-competition, in a manner unrelated to sport performance."
Mohammad Nawaz, a mainstay in Pakistan's T20I setup, will be out of action for three months due to the ICC ban.
When can Mohammad Nawaz play?
Notably, Mohammad Nawaz last played for the national team on February 28, 2026, while his ban started on a backdate of May 1, 2026.
"He has been handed three months of ineligibility, backdated to 1 May 2026, being the date he started a voluntary provisional suspension," the release added.
However, the Pakistan international, who received an NOC from the PCB board a while ago, won't be featuring for Surrey, who were about to offer a deal to him, according to Cricinfo.
That said, the Pakistan cricketer has already served the majority tenure of his suspension. As per the ICC, he will just have to complete a substance of abuse rehabilitation programme.
"Further to this, after accepting the sanction and committing to the rehabilitation programme, Nawaz’s provisional suspension has been lifted after having served a two and a half month suspension," the ICC stated.
"Subject to Nawaz completing a substance of abuse rehabilitation programme to the ICC’s satisfaction, Nawaz will not be required to serve the remainder of the three-month period of ineligibility."
Pakistan's match-winner, Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Nawaz has been a key figure in Pakistan’s white-ball setup. The spinning all-rounder tends to bring balance to the team, with his strength to bowl in any phase and bat anywhere between 4 and 7.
During the 2022 T20 World Cup, where the Men in Green reached the final in Australia, Nawaz played a massive role. Moreover, he has been known to be the player for bigger matches.
So far, the all-rounder has featured in 98 T20Is, 44 ODIs and six Test matches, racking up over 1500 international runs and scalping 166 wickets.
Heading closer to the ODI World Cup 2026, a player like Nawaz will be crucial for Pakistan’s chances in the marquee event.
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