Mohammad Shahzad Suspended for a Year for Doping Violation

Afghanistan swashbuckling wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad has been suspended from playing international cricket for a year by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a failing a dope test.

“The wicketkeeper-batsman had inadvertently ingested the prohibited substance, as a contaminant of a weight loss product he was taking, Hydroxycut,” an ICC statement stated.

Shahzad who has taken his game to a different level in the last few years has been a part of the Afghanistan playing XI in 58 ODI‘s and T20I’s each. As per reports, he breached article 2,1 of the ICC Anti-Doping code.

“Mr Shahzad had provided a urine sample as part of the ICC’s out-of-competition testing programme in Dubai, UAE, on 17 January 2017,” the ICC said.

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His sample was tested, and a substance named Clenbuterol was found in his urine. It is classified as a non-specified substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and also it is a prohibited substance both in-competition and out-of-competition.

“Mr Shahzad admitted the violation and a twelve-month suspension has been imposed, backdated to 17 January 2017, the date of his sample collection. Mr Shahzad will, therefore, be eligible to return to cricket on 17 January 2018,” the ICC said.

The ICC, however, accepted Shahzad’s explanation he had taken the substance inadvertently and had no intentions of improving his game. Instead, he used it as a contaminant of a weight loss product Hydroxycut.

“Mr Shahzad was able to satisfy the ICC through evidence and submissions prepared on his behalf that he had no intention to enhance his sporting performance through the use of prohibited substances,” the ICC said. ICC General Manager Geoff Allardice stated that the world body had zero tolerance level for doping violations.

“It further serves as a reminder to all international cricketers of the dangers and risks associated with taking supplements,” Allardice said.

“Before thinking about taking a supplement, cricketers should weigh up the risks and dangers of doing so and should fully research the supplement in question so they can make an informed decision,” he concluded.

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