Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) announced on Thursday that it has suspended two menā€™s international players from all cricket activities with immediate effect for recreational drug use. The concerned players, Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta, both tested positive for a banned recreational drug in an out-of-competition case recorded during a recent in-house doping test. Unbelievable! Bowler Amelia Kerr Drops Catch Which Results in Run Out At Non-Striker's End During Women's Super Smash 2023-24 Match (Watch Video).

ZC added that pending a hearing for breaching anti-doping rules, the duo will not be a part of cricketing activities. ā€œThey have been charged under the ZC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials and will appear for a disciplinary hearing soon,ā€ it said.

The news comes as a huge blow after menā€™s head coach Dave Houghton resigned in this week after Zimbabwe failed to qualify for 2024 Menā€™s T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe had also failed to qualify for this yearā€™s Menā€™s ODI World Cup in India. All-rounder Madhevere made his debut for Zimbabwe in 2020 and has since played in two Tests, 36 ODIs and 60 T20Is. On the other hand, Mavuta, 26, also an all-rounder, has appeared in four Tests, 12 ODIs and 10 T20Is since his international debut in 2018. Former Pakistan Captain Azhar Ali Applies for National Cricket Academy Directorā€™s Post in Lahore.

Both Madhevere and Mavuta were in the Zimbabwe squad for the home series against Ireland held earlier this month. While Madhevere played three T20Is against Ireland and a local first-class match for his side Mashonaland Eagles, Mavuta played third T20I and the ODI leg of the series against the visitorsā€™.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 21, 2023 05:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).