The Mohammad Nawaz cannabis ban has been formally confirmed, with the International Cricket Council sanctioning the Pakistan all-rounder after he returned a positive test for a cannabis-related substance. The governing body announced on Friday that the 32-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder had been handed a three-month suspension, which can be reduced upon completion of a rehabilitation programme.
Nawaz tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a metabolite of THC, the psychoactive component found in cannabis, following Pakistan’s Twenty20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7. Under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, Carboxy-THC is classified as a Substance of Abuse rather than a performance-enhancing drug. Nawaz admitted the violation and was able to demonstrate that the substance had been used outside of competition and in a manner unconnected to his performance on the field.
Details Behind the ICC’s Sanction of Mohammad Nawaz
The suspension has been backdated to May 1, the date on which Nawaz voluntarily entered a provisional suspension after the violation came to light. Having served roughly two and a half months under that provisional suspension and agreed to undergo a substance abuse treatment programme, his provisional ban was lifted, with the three-month sanction now formally recorded against him. Should he complete the required rehabilitation programme, the ban is expected to be reduced to one month in total.
In line with the ICC Anti-Doping Code, Nawaz’s individual results from the February 7 fixture against the Netherlands, along with all subsequent matches up until May 1, have been disqualified. This does not affect Pakistan’s overall results from the tournament, but it does mean his personal statistics from that period no longer stand on record.
Nawaz’s Role at This Year’s T20 World Cup
Despite the case now becoming public, Nawaz played a full part in Pakistan’s campaign at this year’s men’s T20 World Cup, featuring in all seven of the side’s matches. He was involved from the opening fixture against the Netherlands through to the Super Eights stage, where Pakistan’s run in the tournament ultimately came to an end. His continued involvement throughout the event reflects the fact that the anti-doping case was still being processed internally at the time, with the provisional suspension only beginning once the tournament had concluded.
The case adds to a long list of doping-related sanctions involving Pakistani cricketers over the years, though Nawaz’s situation differs in that Carboxy-THC is treated under anti-doping rules as a social or recreational substance rather than one intended to enhance athletic performance. The distinction is reflected in the comparatively lighter sanction, as well as the option for a reduced ban tied to completion of a rehabilitation programme rather than a lengthy blanket suspension.
With the suspension now formally in effect and set to run its course, attention will turn to whether the reduction to one month is confirmed once Nawaz completes his rehabilitation requirements, and to his likely return to Pakistan’s white-ball setup once the ban has been served in full.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 18, 2026
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