Pakistan batsman Shehzad’s doping ban extended

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has extended Ahmed Shehzad’s doping ban by six weeks after he was found guilty of playing club matches during his four-month suspension.

Back in July, the batsman was suspended and charged with violating anti-doping regulations after he tested positive for a banned substance.

'Under the Pakistan Cricket Board's Anti-Doping Rules ('the Anti-Doping Rules') PCB conducted in-competition dope testing through an independent collecting agency during the Pakistan Cup 2018 held in Faisalabad. Amongst others, the urine sample of Ahmad Shehzad cricketer was collected on 3rd May 2018,' the PCB said in a statement four months ago.

'The sample was forwarded to a WADA-accredited laboratory for analysis which, through its Analytical Report, gave an Adverse Analytical Finding for the presence of a Prohibited Substance. PCB received the Analytical Report on 11th June 2018.'

Unintentional breaching

On 19 October, the PCB served a notice to the 26-year-old due to him playing for the Lahore-based Muslim Gymkhana Cricket club during his suspension period.

The batsman apologized to the beard, arguing that he was unaware of the rules and did breach them intentionally.

'First let me unreservedly tender my apology for my error of judgment. Although ignorance of rules is no excuse, I would nevertheless like you to know that I was unaware of... the PCB rules,' the PCB quoted Shehzad as saying in a statement.

The Board had the option of imposing a new four-month suspension to the cricketer, but decided to extend his original one by six weeks due to Shehzad’s “immediate admission of fault”, “honesty”, and the matches he participated being in “friendly” club games.