[CRK]
Mohammad Nawaz Under PCB Investigation After Positive Drug Test
Mohammad Nawaz is currently under investigation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following a positive test for recreational drug use, ESPNcricinfo has revealed. The development has already had immediate consequences: his much-anticipated signing with Surrey for the T20 Blast season in England has fallen through.
Positive Test Traced to T20 World Cup
The sample that returned a positive result was collected during the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Nawaz, 32, represented Pakistan in all seven of their matches during the tournament, which ended in a Super Eight exit. Across those games, he scored 15 runs and claimed seven wickets with his left-arm spin.
A PCB spokesperson confirmed the board is acting on notification from the International Cricket Council (ICC): “The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about this matter, and PCB has begun the due process. The results of this process will be communicated to the ICC today.”
Surrey Deal Collapses Amid Investigation
Nawaz had already agreed to terms with Surrey County Cricket Club and was set to feature throughout the T20 Blast campaign, which runs from May 26 to July 18. The PCB had issued him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) just two weeks ago, clearing the way for the move.
However, the positive test has prompted Surrey to pull back from the deal. The club has declined to issue any official statement but sources confirm that Nawaz will not be joining the squad this summer.
Continues Playing in PSL
Despite the ongoing investigation, Nawaz has remained active on the field. He has featured in every match for Multan Sultans in the current PSL season. Most recently, he bowled three wicketless overs in the Sultans’ six-wicket win over Rawalpindi in Karachi on Tuesday night.
His involvement in domestic cricket continues, but questions now surround his future on the international and franchise circuit, particularly as anti-doping protocols are taken seriously by both the PCB and ICC.
ICC and PCB Uphold Anti-Doping Standards
The ICC declined to comment on the specifics of the case, consistent with its policy on ongoing anti-doping proceedings. However, its framework mandates that member boards like the PCB conduct thorough investigations and apply due process.
Nawaz, who has earned 98 T20I caps for Pakistan, now faces a critical juncture in his career. While the investigation is ongoing, no sanctions have been applied. Yet, the fallout — from lost opportunities abroad to potential reputational damage — is already evident.
As the PCB prepares to share its findings with the ICC, cricket fans await clarity on one of Pakistan’s most versatile all-rounders. For now, the spotlight is not on his performances, but on the process that could shape the next chapter of his career.
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