South Africa's Zubayr Hamza suspended by ICC for using banned substance
Hamza's backdated suspension started on March 22, which means that the right-handed batter can represent the Proteas again in January 2023.
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Zubayr Hamza. (Photo by Anne Laing/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
South Africa batter Zubayr Hamza has received a nine-month suspension from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for using a banned substance. The right-handed batter will be out of action, with the final verdict of the case will be announced by next week.
The 26-year-0ld from Cape Town tested positive for the illegal substance named ‘diuretic furosemide’ on January 17 but went on to participate in the first Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch. Diuretic furosemide is not a performance-boosting drug but is banned because it can help to hide other substances in the body.
Zubayr Hamza can take the field from January 2023
Hamza’s backdated suspension started on March 22, which means that the right-handed batter can represent the Proteas again in January 2023.
While the case was investigated, Hamza was able to recognize how he took the banned drug and he also agreed to a ‘voluntary suspension’. The 26-year-old did have his lawyers present during the trial as he made a presentation to the ICC. As per reports, the right-handed batter was hoping for a suspension of between 12 months and 18 months.
Talking about his numbers, the right-handed batter has played six test matches for his country and has scored a total of 212 runs. Hamza plays at an average of 17.67 and he has already stroked a fifty with his highest score being 62 runs. In ODIs, the 26-year-old has played only one match and has stroked 56 runs at a strike rate of 70.89.
The right-handed batter from Cape Town made his Test debut against Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in January 2019 and as mentioned above, played his last Test match against New Zealand. Hamza has only played one ODI match against the Netherlands at the SuperSport Park in November 2021.
Hamza shot into the limelight after he became the fourth-youngest batsman in South Africa to score a double hundred in a first-class game. Representing the Western Province, the right-handed batter achieved that feat in October 2014 against Namibia.
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