ECB slaps five-year ban on Usman Khan as he ditches UAE to play for Pakistan

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), on Friday (April 5), imposed a five-year ban on batsman Usman Khan who recently reverted allegiance from UAE to Pakistan. He has been banned from participating in any event organized by the ECB during the five-year period.

As a result, Usman Khan is not eligible to play in the ILT20, the Abu Dhabi T10, or any other ECB-affiliated competitions held in the UAE until 2029. The ECB decided to impose the ban on the batter after finding him guilty of breaching his obligations to the ECB. The cricket board has also accused Usman Khan of misrepresenting his intentions to them.

"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," the ECB stated in a release.

Usman Khan eyes spot in Pakistan team:

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, disciplinary action from the ECB was very much expected. However, not many were expecting the board to come up with such a statement and impose such a lengthy ban. The statement and the ban have made it pretty clear that the ECB is miffed with Usman Khan for misleading them.

Usman Khan was all set to qualify for the UAE and had given up on representing Pakistan in international cricket. He was allowed to participate in the Abu Dhabi T10 and the ILT20 as a local player for the UAE. Not only that, he also participated in the PSL 2024 as an overseas player.

However, his intentions changed after his performance in the tournament. He finished the competition as the second-highest run-scorer despite playing just seven of 11 games for Multan Sultans. The 28-year-old scored two centuries in the competition as well while the rest of the batters combined to score two centuries. Later, he was called up for a training camp with the rest of the Pakistan squad and he decided to accept the proposal.

The way things have unfolded in recent days, Usman Khan is set to be a part of Pakistan's T20I squad for their home series against New Zealand. A good performance against the Black Caps could also see him find a place in the squad for this year's T20 World Cup.