Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Nawaz is under investigation after a positive test for recreational drug use, ESPNcricinfo can reveal. Nawaz’s deal to join Surrey for the T20 Blast in England has fallen through as a result.

Nawaz, who has played 98 T20Is for Pakistan, is subject to an ICC anti-doping process. 

A PCB spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo on Wednesday: “The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about this matter, and PCB has begun the due process. The results of this process will be communicated to the ICC today.”

ESPNcricinfo has learned that the positive result comes from testing during the T20 World Cup earlier this year. 

Nawaz, 32, played in all seven of Pakistan’s matches in Sri Lanka as they were eliminated at the Super Eight stage, scoring 15 runs and taking seven wickets.

Nawaz had agreed to sign for Surrey and was due to be available throughout the Blast, which runs from May 26 until July 18. 

The PCB announced two weeks ago that Nawaz had been granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Blast, and Surrey had planned to announce his signing this week.

But ESPNcricinfo has learned that the deal has now fallen through, and Nawaz will no longer join the club this summer. Surrey declined to comment.

Nawaz has been an ever-present for Multan Sultans in the ongoing PSL season, and bowled three wicketless overs in their six-wicket victory over Rawalpindi in Karachi on Tuesday night.

The ICC declined to comment. (ESPNcricinfo)

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