Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating the anti-doping code.

According to ESPN, Shahzad was tested on January 17 at the ICC Academy in Dubai, in an out-of-competition test, and the sample was analysed at a laboratory in Salt Lake City.

It was found to contain a prohibited substance, Clenbuterol, according to the ICC.

As per the ICC's anti-doping regulations, Shahzad will be provisionally suspended 12 days after issuing the notice of charges being laid - that is, from April 26, reported ESPN.

He has the right to request that his B sample be tested within five days from the notice, and to challenge the suspension within 12 days. If Shahzad challenges the suspension, a hearing will take place and the suspension will not be imposed till the outcome of the hearing is known.

Shahzad also has to respond to the charge within 14 days. If he does not respond, it will be considered to be an admission of guilt.

The big-hitting Shahzad, who has played 58 ODIs and 58 T20Is, was last seen in action during Afghanistan's series against Ireland in Greater Noida, India. In December 2016, he was named the Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year by the ICC, for the period running September 2015 to 2016.

In the meantime, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s Cricket Board (ACB) Farid Hotak confirmed charges have been brought against Shahzad and said: “We have hired a lawyer to investigate the case and he has already started his preliminary work.”

However, he did not provide more details.