PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirms Usman Khan’s availability for New Zealand T20Is

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that Usman Khan is in contention for selection for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. The cricketer was recently banned for five years by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) after he breached his obligations and following this, there have been talks with the PCB. 

Naqvi revealed that Usman might feature in the upcoming series against the Kiwis, which is slated to begin on April 18 at Rawalpindi.

Also Read - PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi 'upset' over inaccurate diagnosis of young pacer Ihsanullah's injury

“(Usman) Khan is eligible for Pakistan and he will play (for the national side),” Naqvi said while speaking to the media as quoted from Geo News.

Interestingly, Usman was part of the camp, in which 29 players trained under the Pakistan army. On the other hand, the UAE board released a statement concerning Usman and stated that the 28-year-old ‘mispresented his intention to the board’. They added that the batter used the opportunities and development provided by the ECB but instead, went out to seek opportunities elsewhere, despite being under contract.

Also Read - Babar Azam emphasises perks of Kakul training camp with Pakistan Army

“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 no longer wanted to play for ECB nor complete the eligibility criteria which he was under an obligation to do,” ECB said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are yet to appoint a head coach. Naqvi has been on the hunt ever since the board parted ways with Mohammed Hafeez but hasn’t found a solution. There have been discussions with Shane Watson and Darren Sammy as well, but neither of the former cricketers has accepted the proposal, as per reports.

Speaking on the matter, Naqvi stated that the appointment of the head coach depends on the contract with them.

“The availability of foreign coaches for the series against New Zealand depends on the contract with them,” Naqvi said.