[REPORTS] Mohammad Nawaz under PCB investigation after positive test for recreational drug use

[Hitman]

AS PER REPORTS:

Mohammad Nawaz is facing a PCB investigation after testing positive for recreational drug use during the T20 World Cup earlier this year. The development has already impacted his career plans, with his proposed move to Surrey for the T20 Blast falling through despite having been granted an NOC by the PCB.

Nawaz, 32, played all seven of Pakistan’s matches in Sri Lanka, scoring 15 runs and taking seven wickets, but the ICC informed the PCB of the positive test and the board has begun its due process. Surrey, who had been set to announce his signing, have withdrawn, while Nawaz continues to feature for Multan Sultans in the ongoing PSL, where he bowled three wicketless overs in their recent win over Rawalpindi.

 

[Devadwal]

Not a report but confirmed news.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/mohammad-nawaz-under-pcb-investigation-after-positive-test-for-recreational-drug-use-1533083

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I wonder what drugs he used. He is a serious bottler under pressure, maybe he wanted to calm his nerves


Shouldn't play international again.

 

[Hitman]

He isn't in huge trouble if it's recreational drug instead of performance enhancing drug.

 

[Hitman]

Keeping bias aside, cricketers really need to be educated. Drugs isn't greater than their international career.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think it's pretty stupid that recreational drug use is frowned upon and can get you in trouble, but drinking is considered a-okay. I would argue that smoking something like marijuana is far less harmful than knocking down a few beers on any given night. If anything, marijuana improves your diet when you get the munchies and raid the fridge. Now imagine if your fridge was filled with grilled chicken, protein bars and chocolate oats? How can you say that's a bad thing?

Anyway I'm sure the morality police officers will be here soon enough to tell us how reactional drugs are bad. And to them I would say - lighten up and smoke a joint, you narcs.

 

[Rana]

What recreational drug did he use?

 

[MK7Z]

His performances in the world cup make sense now

 

[Hitman]

@sweep_shot Your 'invaluable' comments are missing in this thread.

 

[topspin]

What recreational drug did he use?

Ordered paan from @Raja Ishtiaq , who spiked it with all sorts behind the counter

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Is recreational drugs enough for an ICC ban or is it down to individual boards? There are some countries where certain drugs are legal.

 

[JattMaula]

Someone spiked his hubbly-bubbly!

Free that boi!

 

[The_KING]

Hopefully, that means it is the end of his career for Pakistan.

 

[Major]

Should be banned, atleast 3 months

Probably was doing chars.

Drugs are illegal so anyone making an argument have no leg to stand on.

 

[khyberlion]

If this means this ends his international career it will be a blessing.

 

[Major]

If this means this ends his international career it will be a blessing.

No no, recreational drugs dont carry such a long ban unless its cocaine.

It would most likely be hash (chars) which carries a 3 month ban i think, based on Abdur Rehmans ban.

 

[khyberlion]

No no, recreational drugs dont carry such a long ban unless its cocaine.

It would most likely be hash (chars) which carries a 3 month ban i think, based on Abdur Rehmans ban.

Agreed. His international career should be done regardless. Invest in Arafat Minhas. Nawaz has had plenty of opportunities.

 

[Chuggy]

Hopefully this marks the end of him.

 

[chinaman00]

The whole team seems to be on drugs considering how they have played since 2022.

 

[sithb]

Rather stupid to get banned for recreational drugs. Atleast for 3 months.

Not getting into whether recreational drugs like weed is more harmful than drinking or smoking cigarettes. That's a topic for another thread.

But an international cricketer really ought to have known better. He might well make a comeback to the team but then that might easily lead to him losing his spot as well.

 

[sithb]

There are some countries where certain drugs are legal.

Recreational drugs aren't legal for most countries. Atleast as far as sportsmen are concerned.

 

[Pakistan150-0]

Thank God
Finally some relief for PCT fans

 

[charlie007]

That’s so stupid! He didn’t learn anything from Asif’s ban. Good thing Pakistan was playing in SL and not UAE in the WC or who knows what else he could have been implicated in!
It’s a moot debate (and a separate discussion) on what’s more harmful - drinking, smoking, or drugs. It’s the laws that govern how a convicted player is treated. I hope he, and equally importantly other players, learn a lesson from this.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Athletes aren't allowed to smoke at all?

 

[charlie007]

Athletes aren't allowed to smoke at all?

Not when something prohibited is in their joint. Well, do what you want to do but don’t get caught.

 

[Major]

Its abit disturbing how relaxed pcb is to general smoking like shesha and cigarettes.

Imad wasim was smoking in the dressing room. Shoaib Malik was spotted puffing on shesha.

If the sports board shows this much relaxation towards smoking, no surprise that players are doing recreational drugs.

The hash problem is a big one in Pakistan as every other person here does hash and also smoke cigs.

 

[Vikram1989]

Is recreational drugs enough for an ICC ban or is it down to individual boards? There are some countries where certain drugs are legal.

All sports personnel comes under wada code.they dictate the rules for medication.previously few indian athletes( in 90's) were banned for using common cold medicine.Every sports person must have to present their medication to the sports team physio and get it approved from them.we know pcb capacity in that department. So I guess pak players may have never known what to use or not.

 

[Sachin fan]

I think it's pretty stupid that recreational drug use is frowned upon and can get you in trouble, but drinking is considered a-okay. I would argue that smoking something like marijuana is far less harmful than knocking down a few beers on any given night. If anything, marijuana improves your diet when you get the munchies and raid the fridge. Now imagine if your fridge was filled with grilled chicken, protein bars and chocolate oats? How can you say that's a bad thing?

Anyway I'm sure the morality police officers will be here soon enough to tell us how reactional drugs are bad. And to them I would say - lighten up and smoke a joint, you narcs.

You cannot play cricket with alcohol in your system either. If a player shows up drunk in the field, he is likely to be banned

 

[DeadlyVenom]

All sports personnel comes under wada code.they dictate the rules for medication.previously few indian athletes( in 90's) were banned for using common cold medicine.Every sports person must have to present their medication to the sports team physio and get it approved from them.we know pcb capacity in that department. So I guess pak players may have never known what to use or not.

Cant blame PCB here for player taking recreational drugs.

 

[sithb]

You cannot play cricket with alcohol in your system either. If a player shows up drunk in the field, he is likely to be banned

There's a difference between showing up drunk to a match and showing up with an elevated blood alcohol level.

Alcohol persists in the body for quite a while even if the body is otherwise fit enough to play sports.

 

[sithb]

That’s so stupid! He didn’t learn anything from Asif’s ban.

Asif got caught for drugs in a no tolerance country like the UAE.

 

[charlie007]

Asif got caught for drugs in a no tolerance country like the UAE.

Exactly, that’s what I said in my subsequent post that he’s lucky he was in SL and not in UAE. But the point is to learn from others’ mistakes so you don’t have to learn from your own after paying the price.

 

[Varun]

IT'S A DRUG NAWAZ WHAT HAVE YOU DONE NAWAZ!!!

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Shame he lost his county contract. iPL teams had no issues with Rabada. He came back after a one month ban.

Seems like recreational drugs is one of those areas where there is no standard punishment.

 

[Concerned]

Perhaps he’s still recovering from Kholi onslaught

 

[anakwalajinn]

Lol still playing in today’s game

 

[sithb]

How is even india , IPL , BCCI involved in this ?

 

[sithb]

Exactly, that’s what I said in my subsequent post that he’s lucky he was in SL and not in UAE. But the point is to learn from others’ mistakes so you don’t have to learn from your own after paying the price.

So atleast learnt from the mistakes. Not nearly enough

 

[Suleiman]

You either retire a hero or play long enough to be become the villain… the dark knight saga for Nawaz has ended

 

[Savak]

Not surprising, shakal se hamashe *** lagta hai

 

[Josh]

Either @Bhaijaan or @G0rmintAunty or someone else was discussing about weed or stuff in Sri Lanka during the T20 WC. Nawaz might have read that and contacted the suppliers.

 

[Josh]

Shame he lost his county contract. iPL teams had no issues with Rabada. He came back after a one month ban.

Seems like recreational drugs is one of those areas where there is no standard punishment.

It depends on recreational drugs. Some PEDs are also counted as recreational drugs

 

[Bhaijaan]

I think it's pretty stupid that recreational drug use is frowned upon and can get you in trouble, but drinking is considered a-okay. I would argue that smoking something like marijuana is far less harmful than knocking down a few beers on any given night. If anything, marijuana improves your diet when you get the munchies and raid the fridge. Now imagine if your fridge was filled with grilled chicken, protein bars and chocolate oats? How can you say that's a bad thing?

Anyway I'm sure the morality police officers will be here soon enough to tell us how reactional drugs are bad. And to them I would say - lighten up and smoke a joint, you narcs.

Both are haram

 

[Josh]

Both are haram

At low level doses when it's used to calm the nerves, it ain't haram

 

[Josh]

I think it's pretty stupid that recreational drug use is frowned upon and can get you in trouble, but drinking is considered a-okay. I would argue that smoking something like marijuana is far less harmful than knocking down a few beers on any given night. If anything, marijuana improves your diet when you get the munchies and raid the fridge. Now imagine if your fridge was filled with grilled chicken, protein bars and chocolate oats? How can you say that's a bad thing?

Anyway I'm sure the morality police officers will be here soon enough to tell us how reactional drugs are bad. And to them I would say - lighten up and smoke a joint, you narcs.

You also tend to grab gajar ka halwa or other sweet stuff after it and if not controlled you can have your own azam khan phase

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

You cannot play cricket with alcohol in your system either. If a player shows up drunk in the field, he is likely to be banned

Well obviously he didn't turn up to play the match high as a kite. I am talking about recreational drug use while on tour when you're not playing

I wish Nawaz had gotten high before the matches, his performances on the field would have been far better.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

You also tend to grab gajar ka halwa or other sweet stuff after it and if not controlled you can have your own azam khan phase

Well obviously if you lack self-control you are not going to get far in life. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy life's pleasures. It's all about having sense of proportion.

 

[Major]

What needs to be investigated is when was the dope test taken. Was it after a match or on a rest day?

Usually, dope test are done after a match

 

[Devadwal]

Shame he lost his county contract. iPL teams had no issues with Rabada. He came back after a one month ban.

Seems like recreational drugs is one of those areas where there is no standard punishment.

Today somewhere have seen a photo of Rabada smoking. Lagta hai isko smoking ki aadat hai.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Today somewhere have seen a photo of Rabada smoking. Lagta hai isko smoking ki aadat hai.

Snorting cocaine and smoking a cigarette are not the same thing

 

[Devadwal]

Snorting cocaine and smoking a cigarette are not the same thing

Yes, but smoking inside the stadium is not good for the players and should not be allowed.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Yes, but smoking inside the stadium is not good for the players and should not be allowed.

Smoking is very common among cricketers. You'd be surprised how many are smokers

 

[Josh]

Yes, but smoking inside the stadium is not good for the players and should not be allowed.

Legendary Shane Warne also used to smoke cigarettes in Rajasthan Royals days

 

[pakfan54588]

All nawaz are same

 

[RyanRyan10]

All nawaz are same

Hasan Nawaz?

 

[shaz619]

I think it's pretty stupid that recreational drug use is frowned upon and can get you in trouble, but drinking is considered a-okay. I would argue that smoking something like marijuana is far less harmful than knocking down a few beers on any given night. If anything, marijuana improves your diet when you get the munchies and raid the fridge. Now imagine if your fridge was filled with grilled chicken, protein bars and chocolate oats? How can you say that's a bad thing?

Anyway I'm sure the morality police officers will be here soon enough to tell us how reactional drugs are bad. And to them I would say - lighten up and smoke a joint, you narcs.

Smoking a lil weed is bad, but kicking football’s behind your team mates backsides is considered normal during training camp

 

[shaz619]

You cannot play cricket with alcohol in your system either. If a player shows up drunk in the field, he is likely to be banned

Ravi Bopara use to show up to training with a Hangover as an international cricketer

 

[shaz619]

I can confirm that prior to India vs Pakistan 2007 & 2011, Misbah did not fail any drug test, he was squeaky clean, never smoked a joint in his life

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Ravi Bopara use to show up to training with a Hangover as an international cricketer

That's nothing compared to when Pakistani cricketers used to be cool.

Sarfaraz Nawaz for instance was a proper party animal in his heyday. There's a story of him partying in Sydney all night and then turning up to practice the next day straight from the club lol. This is the same series btw where he took a 9 wicket haul in one innings at the MCG in what was Pakistan's only drawn series in Australia to date.

Then he went nuts when he got older, but back in his day the guy was a proper rockstar and someone who can legitimately claim to be the father of reverse-swing.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Smoking a lil weed is bad, but kicking football’s behind your team mates backsides is considered normal during training camp

Pakistani cricketers used to be cool before coming under the infleunce of the Tableeghi Jamaat

 

[shaz619]

That's nothing compared to when Pakistani cricketers used to be cool.

Sarfaraz Nawaz for instance was a proper party animal in his heyday. There's a story of him partying in Sydney all night and then turning up to practice the next day straight from the club lol. This is the same series btw where he took a 9 wicket haul in one innings at the MCG in what was Pakistan's only drawn series in Australia to date.

Then he went nuts when he got older, but back in his day the guy was a proper rockstar and someone who can legitimately claim to be the father of reverse-swing.

There were all sorts of stories from that golden age, I don’t know if it was Viv, Sobers or both, but I am pretty sure at least one of them scored a hundred under the influence lol

No doubt, Sarfraz was a legend bro

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

There were all sorts of stories from that golden age, I don’t know if it was Viv, Sobers or both, but I am pretty sure at least one of them scored a hundred under the influence lol

No doubt, Sarfraz was a legend bro

That sounds so Viv. If ever there was a cricketer who was just effortlessly cool, it was King Viv. I wish Viv could have played in this ere. Modern-day cricket is sorely missing a personality like him.

 

[shaz619]

Pakistani cricketers used to be cool before coming under the infleunce of the Tableeghi Jamaat

To be fair to Inzi, he went all the way with that gimmick & carved his own ministry of darkness or should I say light out of it, Moyo had a landmark year, we were in the top 4 all formats, the world’s greatest coach got all off our eccentric lot firing on every cylinder. But I think Inzi was a flexible guy though & I don’t feel like he tried to do what Rizwan had been doing more recently. At the end of the day, results are what matters most and we need to be tougher on the things which legitimately hurt the team.

 

[Cric1234]

He's been playing like a charsi bowling half trackers and batting like a number 11.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

To be fair to Inzi, he went all the way with that gimmick & carved his own ministry of darkness or should I say light out of it, Moyo had a landmark year, we were in the top 4 all formats, the world’s greatest coach got all off our eccentric lot firing on every cylinder. But I think Inzi was a flexible guy though & I don’t feel like he tried to do what Rizwan had been doing more recently. At the end of the day, results are what matters most and we need to be tougher on the things which legitimately hurt the team.

I’m not saying religion didn’t help some players. It probably did, and that’s fine. The problem was when it stopped being private and started shaping the dressing room.

During the Inzamam era, the criticism was that piety became tied to loyalty and belonging. Shaharyar Khan said in his book Cricket Cauldron that it began as a motivational tool through Saeed Anwar, but by 2006 it had become more performative - beards, gatherings, public displays of faith, and players signaling they were part of the inner circle.

There were also claims that Woolmer felt the team was losing its cricketing edge, and Shaharyar Khan later said Woolmer struggled to impose full authority because Inzamam had such a strong "spiritual hold” over the players.

Shoaib Akhtar was one guy who didn't care what anybody thought of him, and there were a few other players (I think Younis and Butt) who resisted this trend.

 

[G0rmintAunty]

Either @Bhaijaan or @G0rmintAunty or someone else was discussing about weed or stuff in Sri Lanka during the T20 WC. Nawaz might have read that and contacted the suppliers.

SL are quite strict about drugs so it is quite rare to find any there, I didn't see any uding the WC but during my visit before that, a ghunda type guy did offer me some at a club after we were playing pool for a few hours but it was really weak stuff.

Don't know about Nawaz but Hesson was certainly partaking in the good stuff when he said that Nawaz was the best aal rounder in the world.

 

[aarizzler720]

There were all sorts of stories from that golden age, I don’t know if it was Viv, Sobers or both, but I am pretty sure at least one of them scored a hundred under the influence lol

No doubt, Sarfraz was a legend bro

It was Sobers actually who scored 150* against Eng at Lord's in 1971,here's what happpened Sobers spent the previous night drinking and arrived at the ground the next morning having had no sleep. Resuming his innings on 31*, he reportedly missed the first five balls of his first over from Bob Willis.
After struggling early on, he took a break for a "stomach upset"—which he later admitted was a massive hangover. According to lore, he retired briefly to the pavilion and consumed a "medicine" consisting of two glasses of port and brandy before returning to finish his 150. Sir Gary Sobers was'nt Sober at all lol

 

[Vikram1989]

After winning ashes test in 89, Waugh and co played a practise match in uk with complete hangover. ( against akram and some wi pacer.None of them don't remember what happened apart from 6/7 dropped catches in the morning).

 

[BouncerGuy]

Thread is about Nawaz but people are just bringing irrelevant stuff here....

Stay on topic now

 

[Champ_Pal]

Let the man enjoy his life. Recreational drugs does not effect his performance on the field. Unless he does it on the game day or the day before the game. Can’t spin the ball when high as a kite

 

[Markhor]

I thought 420 was just his bowling average since 2022.

In all seriousness, I'm not particularly fussed about people using cannabis (if that's what he's been busted for) but taking anything that can impair the on-field performance and reactions of an athlete is never a good thing.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Let the man enjoy his life. Recreational drugs does not effect his performance on the field. Unless he does it on the game day or the day before the game. Can’t spin the ball when high as a kite

He can't spin the ball when he's sober either

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Nawaz denies intentionally using banned substance during T20 World Cup

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has submitted his response to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following positive dope test during the T20 World Cup 2026.

Nawaz asserted that he did not intentionally consume the banned substance during the marquee T20 event in India and Sri Lanka earlier in the year. A source within the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed to news agency PTI on Thursday hat Nawaz has denied intentionally using any banned substance or recreational drugs.

Used some medicines for health-related issue

The source further claimed that he had used some medicines for a health-related issue but didn’t take any drugs. Currently, the Pakistan cricketer is under investigation by the ICC and the PCB for alleges use of recreational drugs during the World Cup after returning a positive result in a random test conducted by the authorities.

As far as his professional commitments matter, the left-arm spinner has been allowed to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Multan Sultans but the global cricketing body will inform the PCB on the next course of action in a few days.

What happens if ICC is not satisfied?

If the ICC is not satisfied with his explanation, Nawaz could face a complete ban from international cricket, with the global body maintaining a strict stance on the use of banned substances and recreational drugs by players. The all- rounder, who is a regular member of the national T20 squad, has also been questioned by PCB officials.

Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Nawaz denies intentionally using banned substance during T20 World Cup

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has submitted his response to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following positive dope test during the T20 World Cup 2026.

www.news9live.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

PCB shares Nawaz’s medical history with ICC

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday said that it has sent the entire medical history of Mohammad Nawaz to the International Cricket Council (ICC) after it was reported that the all-rounder failed a dope test conducted by the game’s world governing body.

According to reports, Nawaz’s dope test was conducted during this year’s T20 World Cup staged in Sri Lanka and India.

When the PCB was contacted for its view on the matter by Dawn on Wednesday, its spokesman said, “The ICC asked for Nawaz’s medical history [to further investigate the case]. The PCB has sent the [details] of the medical history to the ICC.”

According to reports, Nawaz’s urine sample had the septum of using recreational drugs, which are banned.

“Until the final ICC decision [on the matter], Nawaz will continue to play for Multan Sultans in the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League 11,” the PCB spokesman added.

Nawaz, 32, has represented PAkistan in six Tests, 44 One-day Internationals and 98 T20 Internationals since starting his international career in 2016.

In the past, Pakistan fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif faced two- and one-year bans, respectively, after failing drug tests prior to their participation in the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy staged in India.

Former Test spinner Yasir Shah also received a three-month ban for failing a dope test in 2015.

PCB shares Nawaz’s medical history with ICC

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday said that it has sent the entire medical history of Mohammad...

www.dawn.com

 

[shamaan786]

Surely a international cricket should inform the pcb if he took medication.

 

[aarizzler720]

Has he been under investigation for marijuana/cocaine?, surely marijuana is'nt as dangerous as alcohol I think even Trump administration eased on marijuana, but the truth is it's way better off to live without them really

 

[BouncerGuy]

Has he been under investigation for marijuana/cocaine?, surely marijuana is'nt as dangerous as alcohol I think even Trump administration eased on marijuana, but the truth is it's way better off to live without them really

Nawaz has denied... PCB sent reports to ICC... Things are getting investigated.... Maybe we should wait for final results

 

[Josh]

Has he been under investigation for marijuana/cocaine?, surely marijuana is'nt as dangerous as alcohol I think even Trump administration eased on marijuana, but the truth is it's way better off to live without them really

Its probably PEDs. People with Asthama also used PEDs but it's allowed as medicine. The United States swimming team and short distance team is full of people with Asthama() and they all take the PED medication for example.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Can't remember who said once that Mo Nawz is the best all-rounder in the world....that guy needs to be drug tested first

 

[BouncerGuy]

Can't remember who said once that Mo Nawz is the best all-rounder in the world....that guy needs to be drug tested first

Hesson...but who says that his players are useless??? nobody says that

Anyway... Drug is a different thing.. Hopefully things will get clear soon...