South African cricketer Zubayr Hamza has tested positive for a drug that is banned under the International Cricket Council anti-doping code, the country’s cricket federation said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old tested positive for the banned diuretic Furosemide following a doping test on January 17.

Also Read: Moeen Ali ruled out of CSK’s campaign opener against KKR. Find why?

The batter is not disputing the positive test and has agreed to a “voluntary suspension” starting immediately while the case is investigated, Cricket South Africa said.

“Zubayr is not disputing the positive test, is co-operating fully with the ICC, and has agreed to a voluntary suspension commencing immediately whilst written submissions are presented to the ICC,” CSA said in a statement.

“The positive test relates to the substance Furosemide, which is not a performance enhancing substance, and Zubayr has been able to identify how the substance entered his system. The process to follow will entail presenting evidence that there was no fault or negligence, or no significant fault or negligence on the part of Zubayr,” the statement added. 

Furosemide is not a performance-enhancing drug but is banned because it can be used to mask other substances.

Who is Zubayr Hamza?

Born and raised in Cape Town, Zubayr Hamza made his First Class debut for the provincial senior side in 2014. The following year, he was included in the South African Emerging Players trip to Sri Lanka.

Hamza represented the Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras franchise cricket team in 2018. In July the same year, he was included in South Africa A’s trip to India and made a great first impression by scoring a century in his first innings.

He made his Test debut against Pakistan in 2019, becoming South Africa’s 100th Test player since readmission.

In November 2021, he made his ODI debut against Netherlands. He scored 56 in the first game before the series was called off due to the pandemic. 

After the doping test in January, he played for South Africa in the first test in New Zealand last month.

He withdrew from South Africa’s ODI squad earlier this month ahead of the home series against Bangladesh.