Shahzad has to respond to the charge against him within 14 days

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have charged Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad for violating their anti-doping code.

Shahzad was tested on January 17 at the ICC academy in Dubai and his sample was subsequently sent to a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Since it tested positive for Clenbuterol, which is an anabolic agent and prohibited substance, Shahzad will be provisionally suspended on April 26 unless he opts to challenge the decision.

“In accordance with the ICC Anti-Doping Code … Shahzad will be provisionally suspended, with such suspension coming into effect on 26 April 2017, unless he exercises his right to challenge the imposition of the provisional suspension before such date,” the ICC said.

Shahzad has five days from the notice of the positive test to have a B sample tested.

He also has 12 days to challenge his provisional suspension. Should he do so, a hearing will be held and his suspension will not be imposed until the outcome of the hearing is known.

But, if he doesn’t respond to the charge within 14 days, the ICC will waive his right to a hearing and consider that he has pled guilty.

The 29-year-old, who was named the Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year by the ICC in December 2016, has represented Afghanistan in 58 ODIs and 58 Twenty20 Internationals to date.