ISLAMABAD: Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz finds himself at the center of a developing anti-doping controversy, with the possibility of anything from a formal reprimand to a six-month suspension hanging in the balance after he reportedly tested positive for a banned recreational substance during competition.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally tasked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with conducting a detailed investigation into the matter, a move aimed at expediting proceedings while ensuring due process. The severity of any potential sanction will largely depend on the concentration of the substance detected in Nawaz’s system, as well as contextual factors surrounding its use.
Speaking to The News, Dr Waqar Ahmad, founder chairman of the Anti-Doping Organisation of Pakistan, clarified the framework governing such cases. “There is no punishment for the use of recreational substances outside competition,” he explained. “However, if such substances are detected during competition, the athlete may face consequences ranging from a simple reprimand to a suspension of up to six months.”
Dr Waqar emphasized that multiple variables influence the final verdict, including the athlete’s prior record, level of awareness regarding anti-doping regulations, and any mitigating circumstances such as medical prescriptions or ongoing rehabilitation. “Each case is judged on its merits. Education, intent, and rehabilitation all play a role in determining the outcome,” he added.
With Nawaz currently in Pakistan, the ICC has opted to delegate the investigative process to the PCB, citing logistical and financial considerations. “It is a time-consuming and resource-intensive exercise for ICC committee members to travel and conduct inquiries locally,” Dr Waqar noted. “Therefore, the subordinate body is entrusted to carry out a thorough probe and submit its findings to the game’s governing body for final adjudication.”
Recreational drugs typically identified in such cases include cannabis (chars), cocaine, and MDMA. The PCB Medical Board is now tasked with establishing the circumstances under which the substance entered Nawaz’s system. The cricketer himself is expected to play a central role in clarifying whether the intake was inadvertent, medicinal, or otherwise.
Sources indicate that PCB medical experts have already completed their investigation and forwarded a comprehensive report to the ICC. Given that the alleged violation occurred during an ICC-sanctioned event, the global governing body retains sole authority to determine any disciplinary action.
Under ICC regulations, which align with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, the use of prohibited substances during competition is strictly forbidden, particularly if they hold the potential to enhance performance. However, there remains a possibility that Nawaz’s positive test could be linked to prescribed medication taken during a rehabilitation phase ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, a factor that could influence the final decision.
Meanwhile, uncertainty also surrounds Nawaz’s professional commitments beyond international cricket. His recently signed contract with Surrey for the 2026 T20 Blast now hangs in the balance, as any suspension could rule him out of the competition despite his initial agreement to be available for the full season.
