Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif wasn’t impressed with Usman Khan’s decision to quit playing cricket in UAE and return to Pakistan.
Usman was recently banned for five years by the Emirates Cricket Board which will prevent him from participating in tournaments hosted or sanctioned by the ECB.
“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,” ECB said in a statement.
The right-hander was named in Pakistan’s squad for the T20I series against New Zealand soon after being banned by ECB.
“When you have made a commitment, I think you shouldn’t go against your contract. I understand that everyone has their preferences but you have closed the door for other Pakistan players with this decision,” Latif said on YouTube channel Caught Behind.
“UAE won’t trust Pakistan players going forward and this is also why they banned Usman for five years. Indian and Sri Lankans will increasingly migrate to UAE now because of lack in trust when it comes to Pakistan players.
“Anyways, you can’t stop a player from making such a decision. He has the right to play wherever he wants.”
Usman Khan hit two centuries and as many half-centuries in PSL 9 to help Multan Sultans reach the final.
In the PSL 8, the 28-year-old Karachi-born right-hander had notched up a 36-ball century against Quetta Gladiators - the fastest century in the tournament’s history.
Overall, Usman has played 36 T20s in which he has scored 1,207 runs at a strike-rate of 146.12.
It must be noted that the first match of the five-T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played today in Rawalpindi.
However, the rain could play spoilsport during the match according to The Weather Channel.
The latest weather forecast states that there is 60 percent chance of rain during the day and 80 percent at night today.
There is also 49 percent chance of rain on April 20, which is the day of the second T20I.
However, the chance of rain on April 21, when the third T20I is set to take place, is considerably less at 19 percent.
After the first three matches at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, both sides will move to Lahore, where they will play the remaining two T20Is of the series on 25 and 27 April, respectively.
All five matches of the T20I series will start at 7:00pm (PST).
- Usman Khan
