Wayne Lumbasi
South Africa Test batter Zuabyr Hamza has been suspended for 9 months after accidentally taking his father’s medication that contained the banned substance Furosemide.
Zubayr Hamza intended to take his own anti-allergy medication but he ingested the wrong pill, according to a submission to the International Cricket Council integrity unit. The ICC has accepted his explanation and reduced his suspension from the usual two years to nine months.
Hamza expressed his relief and denied any deliberate attempt to illegally enhance his performance.
“I have never intentionally taken a prohibited substance and I am relieved that the ICC determination confirms this fact. The past few months have been difficult for me on a personal and professional level, and I have learnt lessons that I will share with my fellow players”
Speaking on the incident ICC’s General Manager of Integrity Unit, Alex Marshall said:
“The ICC is committed to keeping cricket clean and has a zero-tolerance approach to doping. It is also a timely reminder to all international cricketers that they remain responsible for anything they put into their bodies, to know exactly what medication they are taking so as to ensure it does not contain a prohibited substance and does not result in an anti-doping rule violation.”
