How One Test Changed Mohammad Nawaz’s Career
News Desk
Islamabad: For nearly a decade, Mohammad Nawaz has been one of Pakistan’s most dependable white-ball allrounders, building a reputation as a cricketer capable of delivering with both bat and ball. But a recent anti-doping sanction from the International Cricket Council (ICC) has cast an unexpected shadow over his career.
The ICC has suspended the 32-year-old for three months after he tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a recreational substance classified as a “Substance of Abuse” under the ICC Anti-Doping Code. The sample was collected after Pakistan’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7.
The suspension was backdated to May 1, when Nawaz voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension. Having already served two-and-a-half months and agreed to complete an ICC-approved substance abuse treatment programme, he is now eligible to return without serving any additional suspension once the programme is completed.
The ICC said Nawaz admitted the offence and established that the substance had been consumed outside competition and was unrelated to enhancing sporting performance. However, his individual records from the Netherlands match and all subsequent appearances until May 1 have been disqualified.
The sanction also forced Nawaz to miss a planned stint with English county side Surrey in the T20 Blast, denying him an opportunity to showcase his skills in one of the world’s leading domestic T20 competitions.
The setback is particularly striking given Nawaz’s unconventional rise in cricket.
He began his journey as a left-arm medium-fast bowler and middle-order batter before transforming into a left-arm spinner during Pakistan’s Under-15 tour of the West Indies. Guided by coach Ameer Akbar and team manager Haroon Rashid, the switch reshaped his career and laid the foundation for his success as a spin-bowling allrounder.
After making his first-class debut in 2012, Nawaz quickly established himself in domestic cricket, scoring three centuries, seven half-centuries and taking 44 wickets in his first four seasons.
His breakthrough came in the inaugural Pakistan Super League, where he emerged as one of the competition’s leading wicket-takers for Quetta Gladiators. The performance earned him a place in Pakistan’s squad for the 2016 Asia Cup before he made his ODI debut on the tour of England and Ireland later that year.
Since then, Nawaz has become a familiar face in Pakistan’s limited-overs setup, contributing in ICC tournaments and bilateral series as a reliable allround option. Although he has featured in six Test matches, he has largely been viewed as a white-ball specialist.
Now, after one of the most challenging episodes of his career, Nawaz’s focus shifts from serving a sanction to rebuilding momentum. With the disciplinary process nearing its conclusion, the experienced allrounder has an opportunity to turn the page and resume the international career that has been built on resilience, reinvention and perseverance.
