Usman participated in a recent 29-player fitness camp organized by trainers from the Pakistan Army.
Despite facing a five-year ban from the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) last week for breaching obligations, Usman’s eligibility for the Pakistan squad remains intact, as confirmed by Naqvi.
“Usman Khan is eligible for Pakistan and he will play,” Naqvi stated.
The ECB imposed the ban on Usman after finding him guilty of misrepresentation and failing to fulfil eligibility criteria while seeking opportunities elsewhere.
“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.
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Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi addressed ongoing efforts to appoint a head coach for the national team following Grant Bradburn’s departure post-World Cup 2023. “The availability of foreign coaches for the series against New Zealand depends on the contract with them,” Naqvi remarked.
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Recent reports suggest that former New Zealand cricketer Luke Ronchi and ex-Australia head coach Justin Langer are under consideration by PCB for the coaching role.
The T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand is set to commence on April 18 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, concluding on April 27 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
(Inputs from ANI)
