Cricket-South Africa batsman Hamza banned for nine months over pill mix-up

FILE PHOTO: Cricket - South Africa v England - Third Test - St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa - January 17, 2020 South Africa's Zubayr Hamza looks dejected as he walks off the field after his wicket is taken by England's Dom Bess REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa test batsman Zubayr Hamza has been suspended for nine months after accidentally taking his father’s heart medication that contained the banned substance Furosemide, ruling him out of the tour of England later this year.

Hamza, who has played six tests and a single One-Day International for South Africa, had intended to take his own anti-allergy medication, but ingested the wrong pill according to his submission to the ICC’s Integrity Unit.