Bangladesh pacer Shohidul Islam banned by ICC over positive dope test

Bangladesh fast bowler Shohidul Islam has been provisionally suspended for 10 months by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping Code. 

The 27-year-old had provided a urine sample as part of the ICC’s out-of-competition testing programme, during Bangladesh's home series against Afghanistan and the sample tested positive for Clomifene.

Notably, Clomifene has been categorized as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency and is forbidden both in-competition and out-of-competition.

ICC’s statement on Shohidul’s ban

The ICC, while handing out the suspension, confirmed that Shohidul had unintentionally consumed the prohibited substance in the form of a medicine that had been legitimately prescribed for medicinal purposes.

The right-arm medium-fast bowler admitted the offence and accepted the 10-month suspension, which has been backdated to May 28, the day he admitted to the violation, meaning he will be permitted to return to cricket on 28 March 2023.

His journey has not been easy so far

The Bangladesh fast bowler, having made his international debut in November last year has made only a solitary international appearance for his country so far.

During Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh for two Tests and three T20Is last year, Shohidul played the third and final T20I of the series, where he picked up the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan.

Since then he has been part of Bangladesh's travelling squads for series against New Zealand and South Africa but couldn't get a game. He was also included in the Bangladesh Test and T20I squad for the ongoing tour of the West Indies but missed out due to a side strain.