Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad , premier big hitting batsman of his side, tested positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol and will be suspended, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday.
The 29-year-old wicket-keeper, a key player in the team’s charge towards potential Test match status, returned a positive test in an out-of-competition test conducted on January 17 at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
The sample was analysed at the WADA accredited laboratory in Salt Lake City, where found to contain the presence of Clenbuterol, a prohibited substance.
He is the fourth highest run-maker in T20 internationals.
The ICC said that he will be banned from April 26 unless he exercises his right to challenge the imposition of the provisional suspension before such date.
