South Africa: Zubayr Hamza tests positive for banned substance

South Africa

Young South Africa batter Zubayr Hamza has tested positive for a substance banned under the ICC’s anti-doping code.

A Cricket South Africa statement has confirmed that “the positive test followed an ICC anti-doping test on the 17 January 2022.”

Hamza will not be disputing the positive test, is “cooperating fully with the ICC” while also agreeing to voluntary suspension commencing immediately.

Written submissions have been presented to the ICC regarding the case.

Zubayr Hamza tests positive for banned diuretic

Hamza tested positive for the substance Furosemide which is not a performance-enhancing substance. Cricket South Africa maintain that Hamza has been able to identify how it came to enter his system.

“The process to follow will entail presenting evidence that there was no fault or negligence, or no significant fault or negligence on the part of Zubayr,” the statement said.

“CSA, SACA and WPCA are supporting Zubayr in this process, and will continue to do so until the matter is concluded.”

Furosemide, better known as Lasix, is a commonly used diuretic medication which is barred for use by athletes because it can cause rapid weight loss and can act as a masking agent (to hide the effects of other prohibited substances) both in and out of competition.

CSA appear to believe that Hamza has a compelling argument against intentional doping.

Another hurdle in an already stuttering career

Hamza, made his Test debut against Pakistan in early 2019 when he became South Africa’s 100th Test player since readmission.

The 26-year-old made his ODI debut against Netherlands in November last year striking 56 in a washout before the series was called off as the Omicron variant and associated panic saw the remaining two ODIs scrapped.

Hamza has played six Tests in all but had withdrawn from both Test and ODI series squads for the visit of Bangladesh due to “personal reasons”.

Zubayr Hamza

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