The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended South African cricket Zubayr Hamza for failing a dope test under the ICC anti-doping code and has agreed to a voluntary suspension. The cricketer used a prohibited substance by the name of Furosemide which is not permitted for use under World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).
Cricket South Africa has also come out with a statement of the charges imposed on Hamza. The prohibited substance named Furosemide was found on a sample that was collected from Hamza.
“Zubayr is not disputing the positive test, is cooperating fully with the ICC, and has agreed to a voluntary suspension commencing immediately whilst written submissions are presented to the ICC,” CSA stated.
“The process to follow will entail presenting evidence that there was no fault or negligence, or no significant fault or negligence on the part of Zubayr,” added the CSA statement.
Furosemide is a diuretic, used for the treatment of hypertension and reducing the fluid build-up caused in our body. It is on WADA’s banned list due to concerns of it being a medical drug.
Zubayr Hamza, 26, has played in six Test matches and one one-day international for South Africa. He was initially named in the ODI squad of South Africa for the series against Bangladesh but withdrew due to personal reasons.
Zubayr Hamza Pulled Out From Bangladesh ODI Series Citing Personal Reasons
South Africa, meanwhile, will play a two-match Test series after losing the ODI series against The Tigers 2-1. The first Test will be played in Durban from March 31 – April 4, followed by the second from April 8 – 12.
The home side will be without Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram for the Tests.
Shakib Al Hasan, on the other hand, has considered this a great opportunity for Bangladesh to upset the hosts in a Test series in their own backyard.
“I think Test series will be more challenging. For five to seven years, we have been a good ODI unit, and we all know that in ODIs we play cricket on true wickets and whoever does well will win the game. In Test teams take advantage of their condition but as some of their main players are missing we can be hopeful” Shakib said on Thursday, March 24.
Also Read: SA vs BAN: Shakib Al Hasan Hopeful Of Test Success After Beating South Africa In ODI Series