United Arab Emirates (UAE) batter Asif Khan (Photo/ICC)
Asif Khan Receives 15-Month Ban for Doping Violation
UAE cricketer Asif Khan has been suspended for 15 months after failing a doping test. The test, conducted out of competition, revealed the presence of a banned anabolic steroid, mesterolone, in his system. The sample was collected on September 8, 2025.
Mesterolone is known for its use in boosting testosterone levels. The 36-year-old player has acknowledged his breach of Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping Code. He accepted the penalty through a Case Resolution Agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
A statement from the ICC confirmed the details of the sanction and Asif’s admission of guilt.
The ban has been backdated to September 8, 2025 and will run until December 7, 2026. Asif will be allowed to resume training with a team or use the facilities of a club or other ICC Member organisation from October 8, but he will only be eligible to return to competitive cricket from December 8. The ICC has also disqualified Asif’s individual results from September 8, 2025 until the start of his provisional suspension on December 29, 2025. Asif, who was born in Pakistan and moved to the UAE in 2017, has represented the UAE in 38 ODIs and 56 T20 Internationals since making his international debut in 2022. Before moving to the UAE, the right-handed batter played 32 first-class matches in Pakistan’s domestic cricket.
Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines “Asif will be permitted to return to training with a team or use the facilities of a club or other ICC Member organisation from October 8, but will only be eligible to return to competitive cricket from December 8,” the ICC statement said. “This includes all resulting consequences, such as the loss of any medals, points, prize money or prizes. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.