Pakistan opening batsman Usman Khan has been excluded from the second ODI against New Zealand following a hamstring injury he picked while playing in the first match of the series at Napier's McLean Park on Friday. The 29-year-old, who played his first ODI in the same game, injured his hamstring while fielding.

An MRI scan conducted post-match confirmed a low-grade tear, ruling him out of the important second ODI, which will be played on Wednesday, April 2, at Seddon Park, Hamilton.

A Promising Debut Cut Short
Usman was impressive in his first outing in ODIs, with a rapid-fire 39 off 33 balls at the top of the order. He was only added to Pakistan's side for this series late on, having got his chance after an impressive T20I series against New Zealand. His promising beginning has been cut short by this premature injury.

ALSO SEE: New Zealand vs Pakistan 2nd ODI: Predicted Playing 11 & Match Details

Series Overview
New Zealand is currently leading the three-match series 1-0, following a dominant 73-run win in the first ODI. The hosts piled up a mammoth total of 344/9, with a blistering century by Mark Chapman. Even a gritty 78 off 83 balls by Pakistan captain Babar Azam could not save the day for the visitors, who were bowled out for 271 in 44.1 overs.

Remaining Fixtures
With Usman Khan ruled out, Pakistan has a selection headache as they approach the second ODI. The final of the series is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, at Bay Oval.

The injury to Usman Khan is the latest setback for Pakistan as they try to come back and keep the series alive against a strong New Zealand team.

In a recent development concerning Pakistan cricket, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi affirmed that Usman Khan is being considered for selection in the national squad for the forthcoming home T20I series against New Zealand. This announcement comes amidst some controversy surrounding Usman’s status due to a recent ban imposed on him by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).

Usman Khan’s Eligibility

Usman Khan, a 28-year-old cricketer, was a participant in a recent 29-player fitness camp organized by the Pakistan Army. His inclusion in this camp highlighted his potential selection for the national team. Despite his ban by the ECB, Naqvi reassured the media that Usman remains eligible to represent Pakistan.

See Also: ‘MS is the most successful captain India will ever have,’ says Gautam Gambhir

“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.

Ban by Emirates Cricket Board

Last week, the ECB imposed a five-year ban on Usman Khan, citing breach of obligations. The board accused Usman of misrepresenting his intentions and failing to fulfil eligibility criteria. This ban cast doubt on his future in international cricket.

“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.

Pakistan Cricket Board’s Response

Despite the ban, PCB stands firm on Usman’s eligibility. Chairman Naqvi emphasized that Usman will indeed play for the national side in the upcoming series against New Zealand. This stance reaffirms PCB’s support for the player amidst the controversy.

Pursuit of Head Coach

Meanwhile, PCB continues its search for a new head coach for the men’s national team. With Grant Bradburn’s departure after the World Cup, the board is exploring various options. Notable names like Luke Ronchi and Justin Langer have surfaced as potential candidates for the position, reflecting PCB’s efforts to secure the best coaching talent.

The T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand will kick off on April 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and will conclude on April 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Usman Khan, a 28-year-old batsman from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been banned from playing cricket in the UAE for five years. This happened because he went to a training camp for the Pakistan team. Even though Khan lives and plays cricket in the UAE, he wanted to represent Pakistan in cricket. He performed really well in the Pakistan Super League, where he scored two centuries in a row.

Usman Khan’s decision to attend Pakistan’s training camp led to a five-year ban

But when Khan decided to join the Pakistan training camp, the Emirates Cricket Board was not happy. They investigated and found out that Khan didn’t tell them he was planning to play for Pakistan. This made them think he wasn’t being honest with them. As a result, they banned Khan from playing cricket in the UAE for five years. This shows how serious they are about players following the rules.

See Also: Jofra Archer is ready to make comeback

He determines to his cricket career

The ban means Khan won’t be able to play in tournaments like the ILT20 and Abu Dhabi T10, which are held in the UAE. This is a big setback for Khan, especially because he was close to meeting the residency requirement to play for the UAE team.

Now, Khan’s focus is on playing for Pakistan. He wants to be part of the T20 series against New Zealand and hopes to make it into the squad for the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies in June. Even though he can’t play in the UAE anymore, Khan is determined to continue his cricket career with the hope of representing his country on the international stage.