Zubayr Hamza’s suspension for doping violation upheld

International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended South African batsman Zubayr Hamza for a doping offense.

According to Cricket South Africa, Hamza tested positive earlier this year and took a “voluntary suspension” in March.

Hamza was working with the ICC’s investigations, according to CSA.

“Zubayr does not contest the positive test, is fully collaborating with the ICC, and has accepted a voluntary suspension beginning immediately until written submissions are given to the ICC,” according to CSA.

ICC’s investigations are now complete, and Hamza’s ban remains in place.

“On 17 January 2022 in Paarl, South Africa, Hamza supplied an out-of-competition sample in which the prohibited substance Furosemide – which is a designated substance in Section S5 of the 2022 WADA Prohibited List – was identified,” ICC remarked in a statement on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

However, the ban is retroactive to March 2022, with Hamza due to return in December of the current year.

“In addition, between January 17 and March 22, 2022, all of Hamza’s individual performances have been disqualified,” ICC stated.

The time frame included Hamza’s appearance in a Test match against New Zealand in February.

“International Cricket Council is dedicated to keeping cricket clean and has a zero-tolerance policy for doping. It is also a timely reminder to all international cricketers that they are responsible for everything they put into their bodies, and that they must know exactly what medications they are taking to ensure that they do not contain a prohibited substance or result in an anti-doping rule violation,” ICC’s General Manager – Integrity Unit, Alex Marshall, stated.