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Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been cleared to resume playing international cricket across all formats following a successful appeal against a doping ban. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the decision on Thursday.
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The Doping Ban and Appeal
Dickwella was initially handed a three-year ban in August 2024 after testing positive for a prohibited substance during a random test. The Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) imposed the sanction, barring the left-handed batter from participating in professional cricket for three years.
However, Dickwella appealed the decision and successfully demonstrated that the prohibited substance was not consumed during the competition period. He also provided evidence to confirm that the substance was unrelated to enhancing his sports performance. Following the appeal, the ICC announced that his ban was lifted with immediate effect, allowing him to return to cricket.
Recent Form and History
Niroshan Dickwella last represented Sri Lanka in March 2023 during the first Test of a two-match series against New Zealand. In that fixture, he scored only seven runs and was subsequently dropped from the second Test.
Later, he was named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh but did not feature in the playing XI in any of the three matches.
This was not the first time Dickwella faced a ban from professional cricket. In 2021, he, along with teammates Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis, was suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for breaching the bio-secure bubble protocols during the team’s tour of England.
Future Prospects
The lifting of the ban marks a significant opportunity for Dickwella to revive his international career. Known for his aggressive batting and keeping skills, he has been a key figure in Sri Lanka’s lineup in the past. With his return, Sri Lanka may look to bolster their squad depth as they gear up for upcoming international assignments.
The ICC’s decision to clear Dickwella underscores the importance of due process in anti-doping regulations while paving the way for a fresh start for the player.
