Mohammad Nawaz in trouble as PCB probes positive drug test during PSL 2026
The left-arm spinner of the Pakistan side, Mohammad Nawaz, has been in trouble as the Pakistan board starts to investigate his positive drug test result during the ongoing PSL 2026.
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The left-arm spinner of the Pakistan side, Mohammad Nawaz, has found himself under investigation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after a positive test for recreational drug use, with the incident taking place during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. This hasn’t been great news for the star player.
Mohammad Nawaz’s deal to join Surrey for the upcoming T20 Blast in England has fallen through as a result. He has featured in 98 T20Is for the national side, as the reports have addressed that the positive result comes from testing during the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
PCB launches investigation after Nawaz’s reported doping violation
Nawaz played all seven games for Pakistan in Sri Lanka as they got eliminated at the Super 8 stage, with the spinner scoring 15 runs and taking seven wickets. The all-rounder agreed to play for Surrey and was due to be available for the entire Blast, which runs from May 26 to July 18.
“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,” The PCB spokesperson expressed.
The PCB, a couple of weeks ago, revealed that Nawaz has been granted the NOC. But he is no longer expected to join the club this summer, with the club refusing to make any comment. He has been an ever-present for the Multan Sultans during the ongoing PSL edition. The ICC has also not commented on this.
What rules say about drug testing in PSL and possible penalties
All the players are responsible for any prohibited substance in their bodily samples, regardless of how it got there or whether they tried to cheat. The PCB allows the WADA list, which includes the performance-enhancing drugs, notably the ‘Substances of Abuse.”
Penalties for a failed drug test are determined by the PCB Anti-doping test. The first offence, generally, results in a four-year ban, though this can be reduced if the player can prove ‘no significant fault.’
If the player can prove the product was unrelated to the performance, the ban can be reduced to as low as three months.
Major setback for Nawaz amid ongoing PSL 2026 season
In the ongoing season, the Multan Sultans have picked up six wickets in seven innings with the bat, an average of around 33, and an economy rate of under 11 with the best figure of 3/30 in an innings. With the bat, the left-handed batter has managed 36 runs off 34 balls in the PSL 2026.
The Sultans are in second position on the points table with six wins in eight clashes and are very likely to qualify for the playoffs of the competition.
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