Rehman suspended for 12 weeks over cannabis use

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

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Abdur Rehman. - Photo by AFP

LONDON: Pakistan and Somerset bowler Abdur Rehman has been suspended for 12 weeks after testing positive for cannabis, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old spinner failed a drugs test on August 8, following the Country Championship game against Nottinghamshire and will now be out of action until December 21, meaning he will miss Champions League Twenty20 matches with Sialkot.

“Somerset County Cricket Club fully supports the action taken by the ECB,” said Somerset chief executive Guy Lavender.

“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 took 19 wickets in three Test matches against England last January when Pakistan swept the series 3-0 in Dubai and has a career haul of 81 wickets at an average loss of 28.

“I apologise to my family, the PCB, the ECB, Somerset County Cricket Club, my team-mates and my fans,” said a remorseful Rehman.

“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 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 Pakistan Cricket Board see it fit for me to be selected.”

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Chacha Sultani

Oct 03, 2012 10:57pm

Dude he smoked weed. A lot of people and I mean A LOT OF PEOPLE smoke the green stuff. It's chill. Relax Rehmah! You're an honest and a hard working athlete. Just be in shape when the team calls on you again!

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ali

Oct 03, 2012 08:06pm

what does smoking cannabis have to do with few bucks and fame?

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Ali Khan

Oct 03, 2012 08:25pm

Do not rate the people living in the morally bankrupt society so highly.UK has highest rate of alcohol consumption throughout Europe.This is much better than the dishonest behaviour showed Amir Asif and Butt who went to jail.

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i like it

Oct 04, 2012 06:07am

another episode of hypocrisy. his cannabis use does not improve his performance so why cant this be a personal choice. no one would have cared if he had a few beers instead. him smoking up should be a personal decision....

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Nasr ki Ki

Oct 03, 2012 02:26pm

This just shows how far the cannabis (GANJA) culture have penetrated in our society where young and old, men and women of all cateogories use cannabis for recreational purpose. I would blame the Hukka culture for this menace.

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Shahid

Oct 03, 2012 02:43pm

All Players are like that, a little mischief but he has admitted and let's hope he learns from it.

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Tamilselvan

Oct 03, 2012 01:41pm

He was man enough to admit and learn from it and hope others learn from it too.

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shan

Oct 04, 2012 05:26am

if u do not have energy do not play five days games . just play one day games. but plz do not do wrong message to whole world. every time pakistani players are doing bad things. plz respect the your country.

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Rizwan Rana

Oct 04, 2012 06:01pm

Khurram mian, he's NOT a "powdery" if he smokes pot. Please correct your terminology.

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B. Ally

Oct 04, 2012 09:37am

Rehman made a blunder but it is real graceful of him to admit in a straight forward manner his error of judgement and seek apology without mincing words. This is real moral courage.

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sanjay saksena

Oct 04, 2012 05:45pm

The reason why drug use is rampant in modern sport is because of the very light punishment for the offenders who get caught. A ban for a few months is no more than a slap on the wrist. All sportsmen found guilty of drug abuse should be banned for life and they should be levied a penalty equivalent to last five year earnings from the sport. Only stringent action against the weak willed morons will prove to be effective. if we are serious about eradicating drugs from sport, we should not be afraid to inflict harsh penalties on those who choose to break the rules. I may add that leniency towards sportsmen caught indulging in drug abuse is a typically south Asian phenomenon. In India for instance, it is very common to find athletes, particularly weight lifters, including women weight lifters, taking performance enhancing drugs. The whole system conspires to encourage drug use because winning medals at any cost is the guiding philosophy in a nation afflicted by a deep rooted inferiority complex.

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Javed

Oct 03, 2012 04:17pm

Using drugs is bad, but so is consuming alcohol. In Pak, many people indulge in drug use and no one seems to mind, but alcohol is banned. Why the hypocrisy ?

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kirtherSG

Oct 03, 2012 04:05pm

Every thing filters from top to bottom, when top political leadership in the country is highly questionable then obviously the whole society becomes unethical and adopt bad/corrupt practices as a routine way of life. This is not an isolated instance people known for corruption are assigned on senior positions, if this situation is not corrected immediately then Pakistan will become worse than some African countries in no time.

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M H

Oct 03, 2012 03:55pm

Got nothing to do with the flag, all to do with personal choice, he made the decision to use, got caught, and has put his hand up and will have to face the punishment that goes with it.

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Fen Tian

Oct 03, 2012 03:48pm

This is reason you guys go to England to bring disrepute and national shame for Pakistan.Whites must be laughing at you.Have little common sense and don't travel to England unless playing for Pakistan.Nothing should be more important than nation's honor.

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asgher

Oct 03, 2012 01:00pm

why cant they play fair. They have to degrade the green flag for few bucks and fame!!! shame on him.

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Farooq

Oct 03, 2012 02:11pm

Please do NOT select an offender.Already we have tarnished Pakistan's name many times.Let this be a warning/lesson for all sportmen.

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Khurram

Oct 04, 2012 01:12pm

Did you ever hear any powdery saying he did very good ... all of them show such remorse if get caught, otherwise boast !

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