Mohammad Nawaz subject to PCB inquiry after testing positive for recreational drug use

Pakistan's star spin-bowling allrounder is under probe from the PCB after returning a positive result for recreational drug use. Consequently, his contract with Surrey for the upcoming T20 Blast has collapsed.

Nawaz is currently plying his trade for Multan Sultans in the ongoing 11th season of the Pakistan Super League. He has picked up six wickets at an average of 32.66 and an economy rate of 10.88, and hasn't made any substantial contributions with the bat in hand. His positive result has come from a test conducted during Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in Sri Lanka.

"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," a PCB spokesperson privy to the development told ESPNcricinfo.

Nawaz, 32, had claimed seven wickets in as many games during Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign. He averaged 22.28 and bowled at an economy rate of 7.80. Notably, Nawaz was one of the four players who were granted NOCs by the Pakistan Cricket Board on April 7. The PCB had issued a release stating the same.

However, owing to the positive test result, Nawaz won't be able to join Surrey for their T20 Blast campaign. Surrey's T20 Blast campaign starts May 22 against Lancashire at the Kennington Oval in London.

PCB's NOC list for 2026:

Note: The data on NOCs has been procured directly from the Pakistan Cricket Board's official website.