PCB bans Ahmed Shehzad for four months over positive dope test

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned opener Ahmed Shehzad for four months -- effective from July 10, 2018, the day he was issued a Notice of Charge and provisionally suspended from participating in all forms of cricket -- for consumption of a prohibited substance, later found to be THC - a synthetic Cannabinoids. The backdated ban means Shehzad will return to cricket on November 11, 2018.

"A four (04) month period of ineligibility, commencing from the date of his Provisional Suspension, i.e. 10th July 2018, has been imposed on Shehzad," a PCB release said on Friday (October 5). "Additionally, as a part of his rehabilitation process Ahmad shall also deliver lectures on anti-doping to such audiences and at such places as the PCB may require."

According to the release, the 26-year-old has accepted that he violated the PCB's rules. The release states that he "had no intent to cheat or enhance his performance". Shehzad had gone through an in-competition dope test during the Pakistan Cup, the country's five-team one-day tournament, and his urine sample was collected on May 3.