Usman Khan is being investigated by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for potential breach of contract after he received a Pakistan call up.
Usman lit up the 2024 PSL, scoring two back-to-back hundreds in the tournament and finishing as the second-highest run-getter with 430 runs from just seven games.
Following the conclusion of the tournament, where his side Multan Sultans lost in the final to Islamabad United, Usman was called up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a national camp, where players are training with Pakistan military to work on their fitness.
302 runs off 164 balls from three innings, striking at 184.15 😮
Usman Khan is enjoying a stunning run of form for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League 💪#PSL2024 pic.twitter.com/V0Xbkh4dmi
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 10, 2024
Usman has played most of his cricket in the UAE as a local player, and this is his first ever call up of any sort for the Pakistan national side. According to an ESPNCricinfo report, it has resulted in him coming under the scanner of the ECB, who are investing him for breaching a potential contract breach with them as well as with the various franchise leagues he has played in the UAE as a local player, including ILT20 and T10.
According to the same report, if Usman is found guilty of a contract breach, it could lead to a ban from playing league cricket in the UAE. A breach will also have ramifications on his work permit. Usman has been living in the UAE in order to qualify to play international cricket for them. He is still 14 months away from satisfying the criteria.
Usman, however, feels that there has been no contract breach at his end since it includes an exit clause with a 30-day notice period, according to ESPNCricinfo.
Up until recently, Usman reportedly didn’t harbour a lot of hopes of representing Pakistan, but things have changed and according to ESPNCricinfo, Pakistan are looking to fast-track him into the national side for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Two countries fighting to get hold of a player, while not unheard of, is not usual. But Usman is currently in the form of his life, and neither Pakistan nor UAE understandably want to let go of him easily. Which way he eventually goes will depend on ECB’s investigation results which, according to the same report, should be out in a couple of weeks.
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