Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz is at the centre of a growing controversy after reportedly testing positive for recreational drug use during the T20 World Cup 2026. The sample was collected during the global tournament held earlier this year in Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has since initiated formal proceedings following a notification from the International Cricket Council, with the governing body currently following due process. The PCB is yet to issue a full official statement, and the timeline for the investigation remains unclear.
Surrey Deal Cancelled, County Cricket Dream on Hold
The investigation has had an immediate and direct impact on Nawaz’s plans outside Pakistan. The 32-year-old had been in advanced discussions with English county side Surrey for a place in the T20 Blast, scheduled from late May to mid-July.
He had already been granted a No Objection Certificate by the PCB, and Surrey were reportedly set to formally announce his signing this week. However, the deal has now been cancelled in light of the ongoing probe.
Surrey has not issued any public statement on the matter so far, which suggests the county is taking time to assess the situation before making any further decision. For Nawaz, it is a significant blow and effectively rules him out of one of the most high-profile domestic T20 competitions in the world.
World Cup Role and Domestic Commitments
Nawaz was a regular presence throughout Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign, featuring in all seven matches before the side was eliminated at the Super Eight stage. He contributed modestly, scoring 15 runs with the bat and picking up seven wickets with the ball, which underlined his role as a utility all-rounder in the squad.
The fact that the positive test is linked to an ICC event adds more weight to the matter and places it firmly under the global governing body’s process.
The ICC has so far refrained from making any public comment, leaving the cricket community waiting for further clarity.
Despite the off-field controversy, Nawaz has continued to play in the Pakistan Super League, representing Multan Sultans. In a recent fixture in Karachi, he bowled three wicketless overs during his side’s six-wicket win over Rawalpindi, which suggests no immediate suspension has been enforced at the domestic level.
Should the investigation findings be upheld, Nawaz could face disciplinary action under the PCB’s anti-doping regulations. The exact nature of any sanction will depend on the outcome of the inquiry, with further clarity expected in the coming days.
