Nawaz admitted the violation and admitted that the drug was used in a way unrelated to sports performance.
Published July 17, 2026
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has tested positive for cannabis-related substances and has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and given a three-month ban, which will be reduced upon completion of a rehabilitation programme, the board announced.
The ICC said in a statement on Friday that Nawaz admitted the violation and proved that the substance was used outside of competition in a manner unrelated to sporting performance.
The 32-year-old tested positive for carboxy-THC, a metabolite of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against Netherlands in February. Carboxy THC is classified as a substance of abuse under the ICC’s anti-doping regulations.
The all-rounder was handed a three-month ban, retroactive to May 1, when he began his voluntary provisional suspension.
The ICC announced that his provisional suspension was for approximately two and a half months and was lifted after he agreed to undergo rehabilitation.
The governing body added that in accordance with anti-doping regulations, Nawaz’s records from February 7 against the Netherlands until May 1 have been disqualified.
Nawaz played in all seven matches for Pakistan at this year’s Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, from the first match against the Netherlands to the Super Eights stage, where they were eliminated. He scored 15 runs and took 7 wickets in the tournament.
