NEW DELHI: Usman Khan, a batsman based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been handed a five-year ban from Emirati cricket after he attended a Pakistan training camp with the apparent intention of representing his country of birth.
Despite residing and playing cricket in the UAE with the aim of representing the Gulf nation, Khan's participation in the Pakistan training camp came after a string of impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League, where he scored back-to-back centuries.
The 28-year-old's decision to join the Pakistan camp has resulted in repercussions from the Emirates Cricket Board, which found him in breach of his obligations. Consequently, Khan has been slapped with a five-year ban from Emirati cricket, reflecting the seriousness with which the governing body views his actions.
"After a detailed investigation, Usman was found to have misrepresented to ECB about his decision to play for the UAE team and has used the opportunities and development provided by the ECB to him to seek out other prospects."
The ban imposed on Khan, which comes at a critical juncture reportedly just 14 months short of fulfilling the residency requirement to represent the UAE, effectively sidelines him from participating in domestic tournaments such as the ILT20 and Abu Dhabi T10, both held in the country.
With his pathway to UAE cricket blocked, Khan now sets his sights on representing Pakistan in the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand and securing a spot in the squad for the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in the United States and the West Indies in June.
(With AFP inputs)
