Usman Khan has been banned from playing in the UAE for five years by the Emirates Cricket Board after an investigation found he had “breached his obligations owed” to the board following his participation in a PCB national training camp.

The Pakistan-born batter was included among 29 players selected by the PCB to take part in a military-run fitness camp in Kakul, following his success in the 2024 PSL. Prior to his Pakistan training call-up, Usman had been in the process of switching his allegiance to play international cricket for the UAE, and played in leagues in the UAE, including the ILT20, as a local player. He had been offered a retainer contract with the ECB before becoming fully eligible in June next year.

However, in light of his decision to pursue an international call-up for Pakistan, the ECB has determined Usman has violated his contract with them. A statement from the board released today (April 5) read: “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.

“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.

“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.”

Significantly, the decision will bar Usman from playing in the ILT20, in which he featured for Gulf Giants earlier this year.

According to various reports, Usman is in line for a call-up to Pakistan’s T20I squad to face New Zealand in a five-match series later this month. Usman finished second in the 2024 PSL run scoring charts, with 430 runs at an average of 107.5 having scored two centuries in the tournament.

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