ICC bans UAE batter Asif Khan for 15 months over doping violation

The International Cricket Council handed UAE batter Asif Khan a 15-month ban after he tested positive for a metabolite of mesterolone in a sample taken on September 8, 2025. The Pakistan-born player, who has played 94 matches for the UAE, accepted the sanction once he admitted the violation.

Mesterolone is an anabolic steroid that boosts testosterone. The out-of-competition test came two days before the UAE were due to face India in the Asia Cup.

Khan is the latest UAE cricketer to draw a long suspension for a banned substance, and the timing leaves the ban hanging over several upcoming bilateral series.