DUBAI: The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has initiated an investigation into the matter of batter Usman Khan’s announcement of his intention to play for Pakistan. As per reports, the UAE cricket board is looking into whether Usman Khan’s decision constitutes a breach of his contract with the UAE board.
The ECB is conducting a review of the case to assess potential breaches of contract not just with the board itself, but also with white-ball leagues he has played in the UAE as a local player, including the ILT20 and the T10.
According to ESPNcricinfo, citing ECB sources, the board is reviewing the matter to determine whether there may have been contract violations with the board as well as with white-ball leagues where he participated as a local player in the United Arab Emirates, such as the T10 and the ILT20.
The decision of the review will be finalized in the next two weeks and could carry significant consequences for Multan Sultan’s star batter Usman Kahn. He could face a ban from UAE domestic league cricket, thus depriving him of the most financially lucrative cricket he has played in his career thus far.
Usman Khan’s work permit, under which he has resided in the United Arab Emirates to fulfill the residency requirement to be eligible to play international cricket for the UAE, is also expected to be affected if a breach of contract is found to have occurred. He still has 14 months remaining to meet this requirement.
Usman, for his side, stated that he has not violated any contract and that his contract provides an escape provision with a thirty-day notice period. It is reported that he is willing to accept any punishment the ECB imposes on him and that he couldn’t resist the temptation of playing for Pakistan when the PCB called him following the PSL.
On Monday, he was also named in the Pakistan fitness camp that is currently happening with the Pakistan Army at PMA Kakul. He linked up with the camp on Sunday evening, and ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB is looking to fast-track him into the Pakistan side ahead of a five-match T20I series against New Zealand next month.