The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday, December 12, that Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been cleared to play international cricket in all formats after successfully appealing his three-year anti-doping ban. The 31-year-old was initially handed a suspension by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) in August 2024 after testing positive for a banned substance.

Dickwella, who filed an appeal against the ban, provided evidence that the prohibited chemical was not used during competition time and had no impact on enhancing his athletic performance. His successful appeal resulted in the immediate lifting of the ban, making him eligible to return to international cricket.

The ICC confirmed the decision in a statement: "Following a successful appeal, Dickwella's ban was lifted with immediate effect, and he has been granted permission to play cricket across all formats."

This decision marks a significant turning point for Dickwella, who last played for Sri Lanka in March 2023 during a Test match against New Zealand. This is not the first time Dickwella has faced suspension. In 2021, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) banned him, along with teammates Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis, for breaching the bio-secure bubble during the team’s tour of England.

The left-hander has played 137 international matches for Sri Lanka, including 54 Tests, 55 ODIs, and 28 T20Is. He boasts impressive career stats, with a batting average of over 30 in both Tests and ODIs and a strike rate of 66 in Tests and 93 in ODIs.