PAK vs NZ: Banned by the Emirates Cricket Board for “misrepresenting,” Usman Khan has earned a maiden call-up in Pakistan’s squad for the T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on April 18. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its 17-men-strong squad to face the Kiwis in a few days in Rawalpindi.
Usman Khan was among the 29 probable players who got rigorous training at the Army Training School in Kakul, a few days ago.
Interestingly, the 28-year-old batter was handed a five-year ban by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for using the board’s resources and opportunities to seek out prospects for himself. Furthermore, in a statement, which was released a few days ago, the ECB admitted that Usman Khan had “misrepresented his intentions to the board.”
All this happened after Usman Khan had attended a training session for Pakistan’s national side after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) ended.
“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.
However, in a breakthrough development for him, he has been named in Pakistan’s squad for T20I series against New Zealand.
Earlier, PCB chief Moshin Naqvi indicated that the hard-hitting batter was in contention and, hence was named in the list of 29 probable players for the training camp in Kakul, alongside the senior players.
Moreover, the roots of his selection on the national side stem from his power-packed performances in the PSL. The batter had plundered 430 runs in the seven PSL outings recently.
“Usman has been scoring runs for the last two-three years so he deserved selection and if there are any other issues Pakistan Cricket Board will be dealing with them,” Wahab Riaz, PCB selector, told media while announcing the squad.
PAK vs NZ: Pakistan Squad for T20I
The PCB, on Tuesday, announced Pakistan’s squad for the T20I series against New Zealand. The 5-match T20I series begins on April 18 in Rawalpindi.
The squad also welcomes the likes of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who had announced their retirement earlier, however, have made a U-turn in their bid to get selected for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
The PAK vs NZ T20I series also welcomes back Babar Azam in the captaincy capacity. The opener batter has replaced Shaheen Shah Afridi in the leadership position.
Below is Pakistan’s complete squad for the T20I series against New Zealand:
Babar Azam (c), Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Abrar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Niazi, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zaman Khan