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In a significant development, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has imposed a five-year ban on Pakistani cricketer Usman Khan for allegedly breaching obligations owed to the board. The ban extends to participation in tournaments such as the International League T20 (ILT20), the Abu Dhabi T10, and any other event sanctioned by the ECB.
According to the ECB, Usman Khan stands accused of misrepresenting his intentions regarding his decision to play for the UAE national team. Following a detailed investigation, the board concluded that Usman was unwilling to fulfill the eligibility criteria required to represent the UAE, despite being under obligation to do so.
The ECB highlighted that Usman Khan had participated in the ECB Sanctioned International League T20 Season 2 earlier, categorized as a local player. Additionally, he was under an ECB Employment Contract for a one-year period, aimed at providing him security and enabling him to meet the eligibility criteria for representing the UAE in international cricket.
Usman Khan’s ban comes amidst his remarkable performance in the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9, where he played for Multan Sultans. Despite playing only seven games, the 28-year-old accumulated 430 runs, finishing as the second-leading run-scorer of the season behind Babar Azam.
Notably, Usman Khan’s standout performance included two centuries and a striking strike rate of 164.12, positioning him prominently among the top batters of the season. While reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may consider him for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand, his future remains uncertain in light of the ban imposed by the ECB.
