Nawaz acknowledged the violation, confirming the substance was used in a manner unrelated to competitive performance.
Published On 17 Jul 2026
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following a positive test for a cannabis-related substance and has received a three-month suspension, which may be reduced after completing a rehabilitation program, the cricket governing body announced.
The 32-year-old player admitted to the violation and demonstrated that the substance was consumed outside of competition in a manner not connected to sporting performance, the ICC confirmed in a statement released on Friday.
Nawaz tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a metabolite of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, following Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in February. Under the ICC’s Anti-Doping Code, Carboxy-THC is classified as a Substance of Abuse.
The sanction includes a three-month suspension retroactive to May 1, the date Nawaz began a voluntary provisional suspension. After serving approximately two and a half months under the provisional suspension and agreeing to a rehabilitation program, the ICC has lifted his provisional suspension.
The governing body also noted that, per the anti-doping code, Nawaz’s records from the Netherlands match on February 7 and all subsequent matches until May 1 have been annulled.
Nawaz participated in all seven of Pakistan’s matches during this year’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, from the opener against the Netherlands to the Super Eights stage, where the team was eliminated. He contributed 15 runs and claimed seven wickets during the tournament.
