Emirates Cricket Board slaps five-year ban on Usman Khan

Right-handed opener Usman Khan has been banned for a five-year period by the Emirate Cricket Board (ECB) over “breaching his obligations” owed to the cricketing body.

The ECB, after a detailed investigation, claimed to have found Usman Khan misinterpreted his decision to play for the UAE national men’s cricket team.

“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 and it was evident that he was no longer wanting to play for ECB nor complete the eligibility criteria which he was under an obligation to do,” ECB said in a statement.

“Usman participated in the ECB Sanctioned International League T20 Season 2 earlier this year in the UAE Category as a local player.

“The ECB also entered into an ECB Employment Contract with Usman for a period of one year. This was done to give him security and allow him to fulfil his eligibility criteria that would allow him to represent UAE in international cricket.”

The sanction imposed will prohibit Usman from participating in any ECB tournaments for the next five years.

“Usman is found to have breached his obligations owed to ECB and will therefore not be allowed to participate in ECB sanctioned tournaments/leagues as well as local events organized under the aegis of councils/academies in UAE for a period of five years,” ECB concluded.

For the unversed, Usman Khan, who played the previous two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as an overseas player, impressed with his consistent batting exploits and was thus approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider representing his homeland.

He was subsequently named among the 29 players participating in the ongoing physical fitness camp, being held in collaboration with the Pakistan Army at Kakul, Abbottabad.

The ongoing camp is slated to conclude on April 8 and the details suggest that the Pakistan squad for the upcoming five-match home T20I series against New Zealand will be shortlisted from the 29 probables.

It is worth mentioning here that Usman Khan only participated in the UAE’s domestic tournaments and was yet to make his international debut for the country.