12-Week Ban For Abdur Rehman Following Doping Offence

12-Week Ban For Abdur Rehman Following Doping Offence

Abdur Rehman has been given a 12-week ban after he tested positive for cannabis following a county game for Somerset against Nottinghamshire

©REUTERS / Action Images

Pakistan left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman has accepted a 12-week ban from all cricket after a positive drugs test during his time playing Somerset.

Rehman, who was named in Pakistan's preliminary squad for the ICC World Twenty20, tested positive for cannabis following a County Championship match against Nottinghamshire in August.

Under the terms of his suspension, Rehman will be unavailable to play cricket again until 21st December 2012.

"I apologise to my family, the PCB, the ECB, Somerset County Cricket club, my team-mates and my fans," Rehman said.

"It was an error of judgement on my part that will cost me dearly and I would like it to be a lesson to all others in sports and elsewhere.

"I will do my best to stay fit and focused during my suspension and god-willing will be available for selection for the India series should the PCB see it fit for me to be selected."

Somerset CCC Chief Executive Guy Lavender added: "Somerset County Cricket Club fully supports the action taken by the ECB. The club does not condone the use of illegal drugs in any circumstances and all Somerset players are made fully aware of this policy on a regular basis."

Rehman becomes the latest Pakistan cricketer to have been banned by authorities, although unlike compatriots Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir, who were all banned for match-fixing, he is likely to return to action relatively soon.

© Cricket World 2012