7 Infamous incidents when cricketers were banned for doping

The international governing body of cricket, International Cricket Council (ICC), provides numerous anti-doping services to its members. It believes that education and awareness on anti-doping matters will help further bolster the anti-doping movement in the sport of cricket. The ICC became a signatory of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) in July 2006. The ICC Anti-Doping Code compliant with the WADA Code ensures cricket plays its part in the global fight against drugs in sport. Here is a list of some famous cricketers who were banned for doping: 1. Sir Ian Botham smoked cannabis: Sir Ian Botham. (Photo Source: Getty Images) England’s legendary all-rounder was suspended in 1986 for smoking cannabis. The cricketer-turned-commentator admitted to the same during a newspaper interview, which led to him being suspended for two months. On his return to the sport, he took 2 wickets against the Kiwis early in his spell in a Test match to equal the then world record of 355 Test wickets which was held by Dennis Lillee. Sir Ian Botham continued to play for England till 1992. 2. Shane Warne consumed diuretic: Steve Waugh. (© Getty Images) The mercurial Australian leg-spinner, arguably the greatest of all-time, was sent home a day before the 2003 World Cup kicked off in South Africa. In a shocking development as Warne was banned for a year from the game after a drug test on him during an ODI series in Australia showed a positive result for a banned diuretic. He defended himself stating that the drug was given to him by his mother and that he thought it was only a fluid tablet. The Australian Cricket Board, however, found him guilty of breaking the Board’s drug code. Warne returned to cricket in 2004 after serving the ban and went on to play for his country till 2007. 3. Stephen Fleming, Matthew Hart and Dion Nash used Marijuana: Stephen Fleming. (Photo Source: Getty Images) One of the best and most respected captains of all-time in world cricket, Fleming found himself in the middle of an unwanted controversy. The left-hander was found guilty for using Marijuana in 1993-94 along with teammates Matthew Hart and Dion Nash during the team’s South Africa. Danny Morrison reported the incident to team management and Fleming was fined just 175 $ and was banned for a brief period. The other two also faced similar sanctions. 4. Mohammad Asif, Shoaib Akhtar consumed nandrolone: Pakistani cricketers Shoaib Akhtar (L) and Mohammad Asif . (Photo by Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images) The fast bowling duo was banned from all forms of cricket in November 2006 after failing a drugs test. Akhtar, then 31, was banned for two years while Asif, then 23, was slapped with a one-year ban. They tested positive for a banned substance named nandrolone. The tests were carried out three weeks before the ICC Champions Trophy that was to be held in India that year. 5. Upul Tharanga consumed prednisone and prednisolone: Sri Lanka cricketer Upul Tharanga. (Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) The Sri Lankan was banned from the sport for three months in 2011 after testing positive for two banned glucocorticosteroids – prednisone and prednisolone during the World Cup that year. He pleaded guilty after claiming he had ingested the banned substance in an herbal remedy. He was banned for three months for the violation. Tharanga has played 180 ODIs and 21 Tests for the national time since his debut in 2005. 6. Raza Hasan tested positive for a prohibited substance: Pakistan spinner Raza Hasan tested positive in a Dope test. (© Getty Images) In 2015 Raza Hasan, the Pakistan left-arm spinner was suspended from playing any form of cricket for two years, having tested positive for a prohibited substance. The PCB had conducted dope tests during the Pentangular one-day cup 2015 in Karachi. The sample collected from Hasan was subsequently analysed at a World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratory. The results were relayed to the PCB, who banned Hasan on the basis of their anti-doping rules. 7. Pradeep Sangwan used stanozolol: Pradeep Sangwan IPL. (Photo Source: Indian Premier League) In 2013, the BCCI banned Delhi bowler Pradeep Sangwan for failing a dope test during the IPL 6. Sangwan, who was part of the KKR franchise in 2013, had tested positive for stanozolol, a prohibited steroid. In November 2014, he became eligible to participate in BCCI-run events and use state association facilities once again after completing his 18-month ban.