The Board of Control for Cricket in India said the explosive batsman was routinely tested during domestic Twenty20 competition last year and a sample showed traces of Terbutaline. But the board said it was satisfied with Pathan's explanation that the substance entered his body through medication while taking a cough syrup and "not as a performance-enhancing drug".
Pathan, who also bowls off-spin, played 57 one-day internationals and 22 T20 games for India and has been an Indian Premier League regular. In 2014 he hit the IPL's fastest 50 off just 15 balls.