Zubayr Hamza has been banned for 9 months after pill scandal

After testing positive for the masking drug furosemide, South African cricketer Zubayr Hamza has been banned for nine months.

The batter admitted to taking the substance, claiming that he had mistakenly taken his father’s heart prescription instead of his own anti-allergy tablets. The International Cricket Council (ICC) accepted Hamza’s defence, and his ban was shortened as a result. Hamza was sentenced to a nine-month ban, which began on March 22.

The ICC adds that because the sample in question was given on January 17, all of Hamza’s individual performances since then will be deleted from the books.

This includes a Test match against New Zealand, where he scored 25 and six runs respectively.

Because furosemide is a prohibited substance, Hamza faced a two-year suspension for his first doping offence until it was determined that he had made no substantial mistakes.

The nine-month ban ends on December 22, so Hamza will miss South Africa’s upcoming tours to India and England. Hamza is also suspended for the period leading up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia, despite the fact that he has never represented his country in the format.

‘’It is 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 medication they are taking to ensure it does not contain a prohibited substance or result in an anti-doping rule violation,” said Alex Marshall, General Manager of the ICC’s Integrity Unit, in a statement on Tuesday.

“On a personal and professional level, the last few months have been challenging for me, and I’ve learned things that I’ll share with my teammates”

“I’d want to express my gratitude to Cricket South Africa and the Western Province for their assistance during this period.”

“I’d also like to thank Barend Kellerman, my attorney, for his guidance during this process, and SACA for their unwavering support during what has been a trying period for me.”

SACA CEO Andrew Breetzke went on to say that the organization would continue to support the player during his suspension.

“From the beginning, Zubayr cooperated with the ICC in providing complete disclosure of the medications he was taking and the sequence of events leading up to the positive test,” Breetzke stated.”

Zubayr is being supported by the CSA, the SA Cricketers Association, and the Western Province Cricket Association, and will be until the case is resolved.