Ahmed Shehzad has been slapped with a four-month ban by the PCB for violating their anti-doping rules. The ban is considered effective from July 10, when he was provisionally suspended after testing positive for a prohibited substance in a test conducted during Pakistan’s domestic cup.

Shehzad was found guilty of breaching the anti-doping code on two counts, and the PCB stated that the opener accepted the sanction. He however maintained that he had no intention to cheat or to enhance his performance.

“PCB has a zero tolerance policy towards doping in cricket and hopes that in future cricketers will exercise utmost care to ensure that no prohibited substances enter their system,” PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said.

Shehzad has played 13 Tests, 81 ODIs and 57 T20Is for Pakistan. He last played for Pakistan in June, scoring 14 and 24 in T20Is against Scotland.

In 13 Tests, he has 982 runs at 40.91, while in 81 ODIs he has scored 2605 runs at 32.56. In the shortest format he has amassed 1454 runs at 26.43 from 57 matches.

His ban will end on November 10, and as part of the sanction he will also be required to deliver anti-doping lectures as and when the PCB deem fit.