Mohammad Nawaz Faces PCB Investigation Following Positive Drug Test; Surrey Deal Collapses
KARACHI — Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been thrust into a career-defining crisis after testing positive for recreational drug use. The revelation has triggered an immediate investigation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), resulting in the collapse of his highly anticipated overseas deal with Surrey County Cricket Club.
The Investigation and ICC Involvement
The controversy stems from routine testing conducted during the 2026 T20 World Cup held in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Nawaz, 32, was a staple in the Pakistani lineup, appearing in all seven matches as the team progressed to the Super Eight stage before being eliminated.
A PCB spokesperson confirmed the development on Wednesday, noting that the board is acting on direct information from the 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.”
Surrey Deal Nullified
The timing of the investigation is particularly damaging for Nawaz’s professional prospects in the United Kingdom. Just two weeks ago, the PCB had granted the left-arm spinner a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to join Surrey for the upcoming T20 Blast, scheduled from May 26 to July 18.
Surrey was reportedly set to officially announce Nawaz as their marquee signing this week. However, following the notification of the failed drug test, the deal has been terminated. While Surrey has declined to comment on the matter, sources confirm that Nawaz will no longer be joining the club this summer.
Current Form and PSL Participation
Despite the looming clouds of a potential suspension, Nawaz has remained active on the field. He is currently representing Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). On Tuesday night in Karachi, he delivered three wicketless overs during a six-wicket win over the Rawalpindiz.
| Metric | Statistic |
| Matches Played | 7 |
| Wickets Taken | 7 |
| Runs Scored | 15 |
Stage Reached Super Eight
What’s Next for Nawaz?
With 98 T20Is under his belt, Nawaz is one of Pakistan’s most experienced white-ball campaigners. However, if the ICC anti-doping process finds him in violation of the code of conduct, he could face a significant ban from all forms of cricket. The cricket world now awaits the final report from the PCB, which is expected to be finalized and sent to the ICC within the next 24 hours.