Panthers Triumph in Champions One-Day Cup with Usman Khan Century and Hasnain Five-For

Panthers Triumph in Champions One-Day Cup with Usman Khan Century and Hasnain Five-For

The Panthers roared to their maiden victory in the Champions One-Day Cup, crushing the Dolphins by 50 runs on the back of a century from Usman Khan and a five-wicket haul by Mohammad Hasnain.

Batting first, the Panthers amassed a formidable 328, thanks to Usman’s 111, Shadab Khan’s 65, and Haider Ali’s 63. The Dolphins’ chase got off to a promising start with a 68-run opening stand, but Hasnain’s pace and accuracy proved too much to handle.

Usman and Haider’s 103-run partnership laid the foundation for the Panthers’ imposing total. Usman’s century was a masterclass in timing and placement, while Haider’s quickfire knock kept the scoreboard ticking.

The Dolphins’ bowlers struggled to contain the Panthers’ onslaught, with Usman Qadir’s three wickets in the final over coming too late to make a significant impact.

In response, the Dolphins showed resilience, with Qasim Akram and Sahibzada Farhan scoring half-centuries. However, Hasnain’s devastating spell of 5-74 shattered their hopes.

Hasnain’s pace and bounce proved too much for the Dolphins’ middle order, as he ripped through the heart of their batting lineup. His five-for was a testament to his skill and determination.

The Panthers’ victory was a testament to their all-round strength. Usman’s century provided the foundation, while Shadab and Haider’s contributions kept the momentum going. Hasnain’s five-wicket haul was the icing on the cake, securing the win for his team.

ECB Investigates Usman Khan's Pakistan Declaration for Contract Breach

ECB Investigates Usman Khan’s Pakistan Declaration for Contract Breach

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is investigating whether Usman Khan’s decision to declare his intention to play for Pakistan constitutes a breach of his contract with the UAE board. The ECB is reviewing the case to assess potential breaches of contract with the board, as well as with white-ball leagues in the UAE where Khan has played as a local player, including the ILT20 and the T10.

The outcome of the review, which ECB sources say will be finalized in the next fortnight, could have significant ramifications for Khan. He could face a ban from league cricket in the UAE, depriving him of the most lucrative cricket he has played in his career. If a breach of contract is found, it could also affect his work permit, under which he has been living in the UAE to complete the residency requirement to qualify for international cricket for the UAE. Khan still has 14 months to go before meeting this criteria.

Khan believes he has not breached any contract, claiming that his contract includes an exit clause with a 30-day notice period. He is reportedly resigned to whatever sanction the ECB imposes, but the allure of playing for Pakistan was too strong to resist when the PCB approached him after the PSL.

The PCB asked Khan if he still wished to play for Pakistan, and he responded affirmatively. On Monday, he was named in the Pakistan camp that is currently training with the Pakistan military in a PCB initiative to boost player fitness. He joined the camp on Sunday evening, and the PCB is reportedly looking to fast-track him into the Pakistan side ahead of a five-match T20I series against New Zealand next month.

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo on the eve of the PSL final, Khan downplayed his chances of playing for Pakistan, emphasizing the ease of obtaining NOCs to play in leagues around the world as a UAE player and the advantages of being considered a local player in the UAE’s limited-overs leagues. However, events have moved swiftly since then.

As Khan has not yet played international cricket for either nation, a tug of war has broken out for a player who is at the peak of his prowess. The ECB’s decision to announce an immediate review indicates their unwillingness to let Khan be poached by the PCB.

For Khan, the decision comes down to the attraction of playing in major tournaments like the T20 World Cup in June, which he appears to be a shoo-in for with Pakistan, versus the lucrative nature of being a freelance T20 specialist affiliated with the UAE. While he appears to have chosen the former for now, much may depend on the outcome of the ECB’s review.

Pakistan Summons UAE's Usman Khan to Training Camp, Eyes T20 World Cup

Pakistan Summons UAE’s Usman Khan to Training Camp, Eyes T20 World Cup

UAE’s top-order batter Usman Khan, born in Pakistan, has been summoned to Pakistan’s training camp with the army in Kakul. This move signals Pakistan’s eagerness to entice him to represent the country of his birth in international cricket. Usman joins 28 other players for the camp, which runs from March 26 to April 8.

Despite the PCB’s silence on Usman’s inclusion or any official change in his status as a UAE player, his selection for the camp is a clear indication of Pakistan’s intentions. In the recent PSL, Usman played as a registered overseas player, amassing the second-highest run tally. Prior to that, he participated in the ILT20 and Abu Dhabi T10 as a local player for the UAE.

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo earlier this month, Usman downplayed his chances of playing for Pakistan in the near future, expressing his determination to complete the residency period to qualify for the UAE. However, he still has 14 months to go before becoming eligible for the UAE.

Usman had previously cited the uncertainty in Pakistan and the ease of obtaining no-objection certificates from the Emirates Cricket Board as reasons for switching allegiances. However, since he has not yet played for the UAE, he can still return to Pakistan without any waiting period.

Given the rapid developments at the PCB, it is highly likely that Usman will be included in Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. This move is part of Pakistan’s preparations for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA in June.

The training camp also marks the return of two players who recently reversed their retirement decisions: Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir. Imad’s success in the PSL and CPL makes him an attractive prospect for Pakistan, while Amir remains hopeful of representing his country again. Haris Rauf, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, has also been included after his central contract was reinstated by the PCB.

Usman Khan's Century Powers Multan Sultans to PSL Playoffs

Usman Khan’s Century Powers Multan Sultans to PSL Playoffs

Multan Sultans’ relentless dominance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) continued on Sunday as they secured a 20-run victory over Karachi Kings, propelled by Usman Khan’s blistering century. The Sultans’ sixth win in seven games solidified their position atop the standings with 12 points, while the Kings remained in fifth place with only two wins from six matches.

Usman, a Pakistan-born player now representing the United Arab Emirates, unleashed a whirlwind innings of 106 not out off just 58 deliveries, reaching his century in a mere 56 balls. His explosive knock, the fastest century of the PSL season, laid the foundation for Multan’s imposing total of 189 for 3. Captain Mohammad Rizwan provided valuable support with a 58-run contribution.

The Kings’ chase never gained momentum, as they struggled to keep up with the Sultans’ imposing target. Skipper Shan Masood’s dismissal for 36 off 29 balls by tournament leading wicket-taker Usama Mir (2-29) set the tone for their struggles. Mir’s wickets tally now stands at 15, while fast bowler Mohammad Ali has 14 after claiming 1 for 40.

Usman and Rizwan capitalized on some wayward Kings bowling, forging a formidable second-wicket partnership of 148 off 93 balls. Rizwan’s half-century was cut short by a catch at mid-off, but Usman continued his onslaught, reaching his ton with a pulled six against Mir Hamza in the final over.

The Kings’ overseas signings, Tim Seifert (1) and James Vince (7), failed to make an impact, falling cheaply within the batting powerplay. Shoaib Malik emerged as their top scorer with 38, but his dismissal in the 12th over left the Kings with a mountain to climb. Soft dismissals plagued the Kings’ run-chase, ultimately leading to their defeat.

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