LONDON, Oct 3: Pakistan and Somerset spinner Abdur Rehman has been suspended for 12 weeks after testing positive for cannabis, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Wednesday.

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

“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 (PCB) see it fit for me to be selected.”

Meanwhile, the PCB suspended Abdur Rehman from domestic cricket for an indefinite period after the ECB banned him for cannabis-related doping violation.

“He [Rehman] is out of the Champions League and cannot play any level of domestic cricket,” said a PCB spokesman here on Wednesday while reacting on the ECB ban imposed on Rehman.

“We have asked the ECB to send us all the details and information regarding his case and once we get all the documents we will decide his case and till then he is banned to play [domestic] cricket,” the spokesman added.—Agencies