Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz is being investigated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after he tested positive for a recreational substance, a development that has halted his planned transfer to Surrey in the England T20 Blast.
The spokesperson of PCB confirmed that the issue had been reported by the International Cricket Council (ICC), following which the board launched its own disciplinary process.
The spokesperson added that the PCB is working on the case within a set procedure and that it will provide its findings to the ICC upon the completion of this process.
The ICC has refused to make a statement on the issue.
The positive test is known to be associated with the samples taken at the T20 World Cup this year in Sri Lanka where Nawaz played all seven matches for Pakistan.
Pakistan lost at the Super Eight phase of the tournament. Nawaz played a major part as an all-rounder, scoring 15 and taking seven wickets in the course of the campaign.
Nawaz had also negotiated conditions with Surrey, and was to play the full length of the T20 Blast, which was planned to run between May 26 and July 18.
Pakistan Cricket Board had already given him a No Objection Certificate two weeks ago and Surrey were about to officially declare the signing.
But this has since been cancelled, and he will not appear in the English county side this summer. Surrey has also refused to comment.
The 32-year-old still plays in the current Pakistan Super League season with Multan Sultans.
He bowled three wicketless overs in a six-wicket victory over Rawalpindi in their recent match in Karachi.
The PCB probe is still in progress and more is likely to be revealed in the days to come.
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