Reports: Ahmed Shehzad fails dope test, may face suspension
According to reports, Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has been tested positive in a dope test and may face a minimum three-month-long suspension from Pakistan Cricket Board. Shehzad was tested during the Pakistan Cup, the country's domestic five-team one-day tournament, held from April 19 to May 1.
Ahmed Shehzad, who played for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the Pakistan Cup, which has been country’s highly coveted 50-over tournament, was the highest run-getter in the tournament, scoring 372 runs, three fifties and a century, at a towering average of 74.40. It was due to his excellent performance that his team went on to win the tournament. However, according to reports from Cricbuzz, Shehzad has failed his dope test which was taken during the same tournament which was held from April 19 to May 1.
In a tweet, which was retweeted by the board chairman Najam Sethi, PCB confirmed that a player had failed a dope test.
"A player has reportedly tested positive for a prohibited substance," the tweet said. "But under ICC rules, PCB cannot name the player or chargesheet him until the chemical report is CONFIRMED by the Anti-Dope Agency of the government. We should have an answer in a day or two."
This would not be the first time Shehzad has made headlines for wrong reasons. After Pakistan's abysmal 2016 World T20 campaign, then head coach Waqar Younis had recommended the PCB to drop him and Umar Akmal from the national side and both the players had to make their way in the national side through domestic performance. Shehzad made his Pakistan debut in 2009 against Australia in the UAE and has made 151 international appearances.
After sitting on the bench throughout the West Indies series, Shehzad made it to Pakistan playing XI in the recently-concluded series against Scotland as Babar Azam, who opened with Fakhar Zaman in Karachi, had a wrist fracture. Shehzad, however, failed to impress as he managed only 38 runs in two T20 internationals.
Shehzad has been out of favour in ODIs and Tests. He was benched for the whole Champions Trophy after a 22-ball 12 against India in Pakistan's first group-match. However, the right-handed batsman returned for Pakistan's next one-day assignment in the UAE against Sri Lanka. In the two matches he played, he registered a 12-ball duck and 8 off 17. He was then dropped for the Pakistan's tour of New Zealand.
Shehzad, who averages 40.91 in Tests, last played in whites for Pakistan in April 2017 during Pakistan's tour of West Indies. He last scored a Test century in November 2014 against New Zealand. He scored 176 before he was hit wicket off a Corey Anderson bouncer that hit him in the helmet and floored him.
Support INDIA! Predict India vs Afghanistan & Win CASH!
Win Cash Prizes of upto ₹75,000! Download NostraGamus here Now!
Win Cash Everyday on NostraGamus! Play Now on Android & predict matches of ANY Sport! Click here to Download Now & Get ₹40 Cash Bonus!!