Lahore, Apr 23 (PTI) Experienced Pakistan all-rounder Muhammad Nawaz has submitted his response to the ICC and PCB following his positive dope test during the T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka earlier this year, asserting that he did not intentionally consume the banned substance.
A source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday that Nawaz has denied intentionally using any banned substance or recreational drugs.
“He has explained he had used some medicines for a health-related issue but didn’t take any drugs,” the source claimed.
Nawaz is under investigation by the ICC and the PCB for alleged use of recreational drugs during the World Cup, after returning a positive result in a random test conducted by the authorities.
The left-arm spinner has been allowed to play in the Pakistan Super League for Multan Sultans but the ICC will inform the PCB on the next course of action in a few days.
If the ICC is not satisfied with his explanation, Nawaz could face a complete ban from cricket, with the world body maintaining a strict stance on the use of banned substances and recreational drugs by players.
The allrounder, who is a regular member of the national T20 squad, has also been questioned by PCB officials.
Pakistan cricket faced its biggest doping scandal in 2006 when fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar tested positive for a banned substance and were sent home from the ICC Champions Trophy in India. Although both were initially handed bans, a committee overturned the sanctions in December that year following their appeals.
Other Pakistani cricketers who have faced bans for failing dope tests include spinners Raza Hasan and Yasir Shah, as well as batter Ahmed Shehzad. PTI Cor AM AM AM
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