UAE batter Asif Khan has accepted a 15-month ban after testing positive for a prohibited substance, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced.
The 36-year-old cricketer tested positive for a metabolite of mesterolone during an out-of-competition test on September 8, 2025.
Asif admitted to violating Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping Code. He accepted the sanction through a Case Resolution Agreement involving the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the ICC.
Asif Khan’s Suspension Backdated
The authorities have backdated Asif’s 15-month period of ineligibility to September 8, 2025.
His suspension will therefore end on December 7, 2026. However, he will receive permission to resume team training earlier.
From October 8, 2026, Asif can train with a team and use facilities operated by an ICC member or affiliated club.
He will remain barred from competitive cricket until December 7. His return to matches will begin on December 8, 2026.
ICC Disqualifies Asif’s Previous Results
The ICC has also disqualified Asif’s individual results from September 8, 2025, until his provisional suspension began on December 29, 2025.
The disqualification includes all consequences linked to those performances.
As a result, he loses any medals, points, prize money or other prizes connected with the affected results.
UAE Batter Has International Experience
Asif has been an established member of the UAE national team since making his international debut in 2022.
He has played 38 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 56 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for the UAE.
His suspension now prevents him from representing the country in competitive cricket until December 2026.
What the Anti-Doping Violation Means
The case falls under Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping Code, which covers the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites in an athlete’s sample.
Asif accepted the violation and agreed to the sanction rather than contesting the case through a longer disciplinary process.
The agreement with WADA and the ICC sets out the conditions of his suspension and his eventual return to cricket.
Asif Khan Faces Long Road Back
Although Asif can return to training in October, he must wait another two months before competing again.
His competitive suspension ends in December, meaning he could potentially return to international cricket later that month if selected by the UAE.
For now, the ICC sanction keeps the experienced batter out of competitive action while he serves the remainder of his ineligibility period.
