ICC Bans Pakistan-Born Cricketer For 15 Months Ahead Of India Clash: Here’s Why

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed a 15-month ban on UAE cricketer Asif Khan after he tested positive for a prohibited substance in an out-of-competition doping test. The Pakistan-born batter, who has played 94 international matches for the UAE, accepted the ban after admitting to an anti-doping violation.

The timing of the test also adds an unusual layer to the case. Asif was tested on September 8, 2025, just two days before the UAE were scheduled to face India in the Asia Cup 2025. The ICC said the test detected a metabolite of mesterolone, a substance prohibited under its Anti-Doping Code.

According to the ICC, Asif breached Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping Code after testing positive for a prohibited substance during an out-of-competition test conducted on September 8, 2025. Asif admitted the violation and accepted a 15-month sanction through a Case Resolution Agreement involving the ICC and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The ban is backdated to the date of the test and will run from September 8, 2025, until December 7, 2026. Under the sanction, Asif will be permitted to train with a team or use the facilities of a club or ICC member body from October 8, 2026.

However, he will only be eligible to return to competitive cricket after the completion of his ban. The 36-year-old was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and previously represented Pakistan at Under-19 level before moving to the UAE.

He made his UAE international debut in 2022 and went on to establish himself as an attacking batter across white-ball formats. Asif has played 38 ODIs for the UAE, scoring 1,270 runs in 37 innings. His ODI record includes three centuries and seven half-centuries.

He has also featured in 56 T20Is, accumulating 1,302 runs at a strike rate of 137.92, along with six half-centuries. His 94 international appearances make the lengthy suspension a significant setback for the experienced UAE batter.

The ICC ban means Asif will remain unavailable for competitive cricket until December 2026, after which he can seek a return to international cricket, subject to selection and eligibility. Asif Khan was banned after testing positive for a prohibited substance, a metabolite of mesterolone, during an out-of-competition doping test.

He admitted to an anti-doping violation. Asif Khan received a 15-month ban from the ICC. It is backdated to September 8, 2025, and will run until December 7, 2026. Asif Khan will be eligible to return to competitive cricket after December 7, 2026, upon the completion of his ban.

He is permitted to train with a team from October 8, 2026.