PCB punishes Ahmed Shehzad for violating anti-doping rules
The Pakistan Cricket Board has handed a four-month ban to opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad for violating anti-doping rules. As per the PCB's press release, the ban will be effective from July 10 onwards. The cricketer was provisionally suspended and issued a notice in the month of July. He had failed a dope test earlier in June. Here are the details about this incident.
Prohibited substance was found in his sample collected during the Pakistan Cup. The opening batsman was charged with two anti-doping violations. Shehzad accepted the same, but stated that he had no intentions of cheating or enhancing his performance. The official release added that the sanctions have been agreed upon as per the Article 8.6 of the PCB's Rules.
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani opined that the board has zero tolerance policy towards doping and he hopes players will be more careful about the same in future. Shehzad has vowed to make a strong comeback from here. Right now, Pakistan look settled with openers Imam-ul-haq and Zaman. In order to make a cut, scoring aplenty is the only way for Shehzad.
My doping case verdict is acceptable to me. I accept the sanction handed out by PCB. I inadvertently consumed a medicine which as an experienced cricketer I should have refrained from. I am fully committed to returning to cricket as soon as my ban is over (November 11, 2018.)
— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) October 5, 2018
The opener lost his place in both the Test and ODI teams. In the series against Scotland, Shehzad played both T20Is, but failed to impress. He last played Test cricket for his nation in April, 2017. Shehzad was benched in last year's ICC Champions Trophy after a 22-ball 12. The promising batsman also had a disastrous Pakistan Super League earlier this year.
Shehzad's dream of playing 2019 World Cup, is still not over yet. Post the suspension, he will need to be among the runs in domestic circuit and make his way back. The road to the team looks difficult, but he can't be ruled out.
