- July 19, 2026
ICC Bans Pakistani Cricketer For Consuming Cannabis; This Is How Long It Stays In The Body
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Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after testing positive for a cannabis-related substance.
Pakistani Cricketer Mohammad Nawaz (Picture credit: AFP)
Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Nawaz is once again skirting controversy over drugs. This time, the all-rounder has received a three-month suspension from the International Cricket Council (ICC) after testing positive for Carboxy-THC (a cannabis-related substance) during the 2026 T20 World Cup. He admitted to the violation, stating it was for out-of-competition recreational use.
Carboxy-THC is a metabolite of THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. Carboxy-THC is classified as a Substance of Abuse under the ICC’s Anti-Doping Code. He was tested after Pakistan played the T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in February.
According to a report by Al-Jazeera, the cricketer was handed a three-month suspension that has been backdated to May 1, the date he started a voluntary provisional suspension. The ICC announced that he had served about two and a half months under the provisional suspension and had agreed to undergo rehabilitation, which is why his provisional suspension had been lifted.
Consumption of weed in any form as a sportsperson, and they are routinely tested for performance-enhancing or recreational drugs. In fact, according to ICC rules, cricket players are subjected to random, unannounced testing both “in-competition” (during matches) and “out-of-competition” (during training or at home) via urine and blood samples
According to Mayo Clinic, THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, and “weed” is a common street name for cannabis or marijuana. In simple terms, weed is the plant product, and THC is one of the chemicals in it that causes the “high.
The detection of THC can vary as explained by Medical News Today. It is based on individual factors like body composition and frequency of cannabis use, as well as the type and sensitivity of the drug test used. Usually, urine tests can detect cannabis for 1-30 days, while saliva tests for up to 24-30 hours. On the other hand, one can even test the hair for up to 90 days of drug use, sweat tests for 7-14 days and blood tests for only a few hours.
There is no way to quickly eliminate THC from a person’s body; however, by staying hydrated and exercising rigorously may help to support the body’s metabolism and eliminate the remnants from the body.
About the Author
Abigail Banerji is a Senior Sub Editor with News18’s English desk. She brings 6 years of experience across both print and digital newsrooms, spanning editorial planning, reportage, copy editing, conte…Read More
