Madhevere and Mavuta suspended for drug use. Zimbabwe Cricket has handed down suspensions and fines to two allrounders, Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta, for a period of four months due to their use of recreational drugs. In addition to the suspension, both players will be subjected to a 50% salary deduction for three months, starting from January 2024.

Furthermore, batter Kevin Kasuza, who last played for Zimbabwe in 2021, has been immediately suspended from all cricket activities after testing positive for a banned recreational drug during an in-house doping test last week.

The suspensions were imposed following an in-house doping test in December, during which Madhevere and Mavuta tested positive for a banned recreational drug outside of competition. Following a hearing last Wednesday, where both players admitted to breaching the ZC Employment Code of Conduct, the sanctions were imposed.

The rehabilitation process for the banned players will be managed by Zimbabwe Cricket’s medical staff, and they have been instructed to participate in the high-performance program while undergoing the necessary treatment. In a statement, Zimbabwe Cricket acknowledged some mitigating factors, including the players’ remorse and their commitment to withdrawing from the habit and detoxifying their systems.

Both Madhevere and Mavuta were part of the Zimbabwe team that recently played against Ireland in a home series. Madhevere appeared in all three T20Is, while Mavuta played the third T20I and the subsequent three ODIs. Since then, Mavuta has not participated in any competitive cricket, while Madhevere featured for Mashonaland Eagles in the ongoing Logan Cup, Zimbabwe’s premier first-class competition.