Hamza, who has played six tests and asingle One-Day International for South Africa, had intended to take his own anti-allergymedication, but ingested the wrong pill according to his submission to theICC’s Integrity Unit.
The International Cricket Council hasaccepted his explanation and reduced his suspension from the usual two years tonine months, back-dated to Mar 22 this year.
The 26-year-old Hamza will therefore beeligible to resume his career in December this year. He would have been incontention to tour England in August and September having been a mainstay ofrecent test squads.
"It is a timely reminder to allinternational cricketers that they remain responsible for anything they putinto their bodies, to know exactly what medication they are taking so as toensure it does not contain a prohibited substance and does not result in ananti-doping rule violation," Alex Marshall, General Manager of the ICC"sIntegrity Unit, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Hamza’s performances between Jan 17 and Mar22 this year have been expunged from the records, including his scores of 25and six in the innings and 276-run first test loss to New Zealand in February.
