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Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been handed a three-month suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after testing positive for Carboxy-THC, a cannabis-related substance, during the 2026 T20 World Cup. The cricketer admitted to breaching the ICC’s Anti-Doping Code, stating that the substance was consumed recreationally outside of competition.
Carboxy-THC is a metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Under the ICC’s Anti-Doping Code, it is classified as a “Substance of Abuse.” Nawaz was tested following Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in February. According to reports, the suspension has been backdated to May 1, when he voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension. Having already served over two months and agreed to undergo a rehabilitation programme, the ICC has lifted his provisional suspension, with the remaining ban to be completed as per the sanction.
The incident has once again highlighted the ICC’s strict anti-doping regulations. International cricketers are subject to random in-competition and out-of-competition drug testing through urine and blood samples to ensure compliance with anti-doping rules. Recreational drugs such as cannabis are also prohibited under specific circumstances outlined in the anti-doping code.
THC is the chemical responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis, commonly referred to as marijuana or weed. While the plant itself is known as cannabis, THC is the active ingredient that produces the “high.” Once consumed, THC breaks down into metabolites such as Carboxy-THC, which can remain in the body long after the effects have worn off.
Medical experts note that the length of time THC stays in the body depends on several factors, including the frequency of cannabis use, body fat percentage, metabolism, and the type of drug test administered. Urine tests can typically detect cannabis for anywhere between one and 30 days, while saliva tests usually detect it for up to 24 to 30 hours. Blood tests generally identify THC for only a few hours after consumption, sweat tests may detect it for seven to 14 days, and hair follicle tests can reveal cannabis use for up to 90 days.
There is no scientifically proven method to rapidly eliminate THC from the body. However, maintaining proper hydration, following a healthy lifestyle, and allowing sufficient time for the body’s natural metabolic processes are considered the safest ways to clear THC metabolites.