Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz is currently under investigation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after returning a positive test for recreational drug use, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The development has also led to the collapse of his proposed stint with Surrey in England’s T20 Blast.
Nawaz, who has represented Pakistan in 98 T20 Internationals, was set to join Surrey for the duration of the T20 Blast, scheduled from May 26 to July 18. The PCB had granted him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the tournament just two weeks ago, and the county side was expected to officially announce his signing shortly.
However, those plans have now been put on hold following the positive test result. Surrey have decided not to proceed with the deal, and Nawaz will no longer feature for the club this season. The county declined to comment on the situation.
A PCB spokesperson confirmed that the matter is being handled in coordination with the International Cricket Council (ICC). “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 spokesperson said.
It is understood that the positive test traces back to the ICC T20 World Cup held earlier this year. Nawaz, 32, played all seven matches for Pakistan during the tournament in Sri Lanka, where the team was knocked out in the Super Eight stage. He had a modest outing with the bat, scoring 15 runs, while picking up seven wickets with the ball.
Despite this ongoing issue, Nawaz has continued to feature in domestic cricket and remains part of the Multan Sultans squad in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In their recent match against Rawalpindi in Karachi on Tuesday night, he bowled three overs but went wicketless as his team secured a six-wicket win.
The ICC, meanwhile, has declined to comment on the matter at this stage. The investigation remains ongoing, and further clarity on Nawaz’s situation is expected once the PCB completes its process and shares its findings with the ICC.