Zimbabwean cricketers Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta have received a four-month ban from all cricket activities due to recreational drug use.
Zimbabwe Cricket, in a statement on Thursday, also disclosed a 50% salary fine for both players over the next three months.
Another player, Kevin Kasuza, faces a suspension for a similar offense pending a disciplinary committee hearing.
At a recent disciplinary hearing, all-rounder Madhevere (23) and leg-spinner Mavuta (26) admitted violating Zimbabwe Cricket’s employment code of conduct.
Their suspension ensued after a December in-house drug test yielded positive results.
Consequently, they were absent from Zimbabwe’s recent tour of Sri Lanka.
The cricket board’s statement acknowledged mitigating factors, citing the players’ remorse and active efforts to overcome the habit.
Madhevere, a talented 23-year-old, made his international debut at 20 but is yet to fully establish himself at the highest level. Mavuta, known for 12 Test wickets, has had more modest returns in white-ball internationals.
Meanwhile, Kasuza (30), who tested positive in a recent in-house test, awaits his disciplinary hearing.
The batsman, with seven Test matches under his belt, last played in May 2021 and has not featured in white-ball internationals.
Zimbabwe Cricket’s strict measures aim to uphold the integrity of the sport while emphasizing the consequences of breaching the code of conduct.
