Usman Khan eligible to play for Pakistan, confrims PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi

LAHORE: Days after the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) banned cricketer Usman Khan from playing for the gulf nation, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stressed on the right-handed batter's eligibility saying that he can play for the national side.

Speaking to the media in Lahore on Sunday, the PCB chief said: "[Usman] Khan is eligible for Pakistan and he will play [for the national side]," adding that the cricketer's name is being considered for selection and that he will be part of the national squad.

Naqvi's remarks come after the ECB imposed a five-year ban on the cricketer over breach of contract following his participation in the Green Shirts' recently concluded physical fitness camp at Pakistan Army's Kakul facility.

"Batter Usman Khan has been found to have breached his obligations owed to the ECB [...] 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," the board said in a statement.

Khan's inclusion in the national side can primarily be attributed to his impressive performance in the in the Pakistan Super League's ninth edition (PSL 9) where he won multiple accolades while representing Multan Sultans franchise.

Commenting on the 2025 Champions Trophy, the PCB chief said that the mega-event would be held in Pakistan as per the schedule, however, he added that it's too early to talk about the Indian cricket team's participation in the tournament.

On the issue of team management, Naqvi said that the announcement of the foreign head coaches will be made after April 15.

"The availability of foreign coaches for the series against New Zealand depends on the contract with them," Naqvi said stressing the national side's "busy" upcoming season in light of series against against Ireland, England, T20I World Cup, Bangladesh, England, Australia and South Africa.

"Before the Champions Trophy, there is a tri-party series in Pakistan. Teams will come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and the tri-party series," he added.

Furthermore, confirming that the announcement of the national side's squad for the upcoming five-match T20I home series against New Zealand will be made on April 9.

The series, set to commence on April 18, will see the Black Caps taking on the national side in five T20I matches of which three will be played in Rawalpindi, whereas the rest of the two matches will be played in Lahore with the series culminating on April 27.