Bangladesh fast bowler Qazi Onik has been banned for two years from all forms of the game for failing a dope test which was conducted during the National Cricket League in November 2018.
In an official statement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that the 21-year-old left-arm pacer has been handed a suspension of two years for breaching section 8.3 of the BCB’s Anti-Doping Code by taking a drug Methamphetamine during an NCL clash in Cox's Bazar on November 8, 2016.
The substance is included as a stimulant, prohibited under section S6a of the 2018 International Cricket Council (ICC) Prohibited List, and consequently prohibited under the BCB Anti-Doping code 2.1, which has adopted the ICC Anti-Doping Code.
The board has also confirmed that the pacer was removed from every BCB programme that he was part of and wasn’t able to take part in any cricketing activities.
Meanwhile, Onik has also admitted his offense and accepted the ban imposed by the BCB on him for breaching anti-doping rules involving the usage of a prohibited substance.
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Onik will be re-eligible to participate in cricket-related activities from February 7, 2021, since his two-year ban started from February 8, 2019 – the day when he accepted a provisional suspension.
Noteworthy, the pacer was Bangladesh's highest wicket-taker in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand with 10 wickets at an economy rate of 4.58. He has also taken 15 wickets in four first-class matches, 41 wickets in 26 List A games and 11 wickets in nine T20s so far.
(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)
