Ahmad Shahzad Fails Dope Test! Pakistan Board Bans Cricketer for Four Months

Pakistan’s Ahmad Shehzad is banned for four months over the usage of a prohibited substance during one of the domestic tournaments earlier this year. As per the Pakistan Cricket Board’s statement, the 26-year-old has accepted the violations. According to Shahzad, he had consumed a medicine which had that substance by mistake. The cricketer was suspended provisionally on July 10 after being tested positive following a domestic match. The ban started from July 10, 2018.

The authorities could not identify the substance consumed by the cricketer. “Shahzad has been banned for four months effective from 10th July 2018 for violating the board's anti-doping rules,” the PCB said in a statement. The release further stated, “He accepts that he has committed the violations of the PCB rules, but had no intent to cheat or enhance his performance.”  Pakistan’s Opening Batsman Ahmed Shahzad Fails the Dope Test.

The cricketer also took to Twitter and wrote, “My doping case verdict is acceptable to me. I accept the sanction handed out by PCB. I inadvertently consumed a medicine which as an experienced cricketer I should have refrained from. I am fully committed to returning to cricket as soon as my ban is over (November 11, 2018.).” “This is a lesson for me personally as well as my fellow cricketers and I hope to make a strong comeback from here. Remember me in your prayers,” he further tweeted.

The Lahore-born Shahzad has played 13 test matches, 81 one-day internationals and 57 Twenty20s for Pakistan. However, the cricketer has not impressed the selectors lately. Shahzad played his last T20 in June against Scotland. He has scored a century in all three formats.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 06, 2018 09:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).