Afghanistan cricketer Usman Ghani has taken a break from the sport, citing his exclusion from the national squad as the primary reason. The opening batter expressed his dissatisfaction with the current leadership of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
Ghani was not included in Afghanistan’s squad for the upcoming limited-overs matches against Bangladesh. The two teams are set to play three ODIs and two T20Is in July, which serve as crucial preparation for the ODI World Cup in India later this year.
The 26-year-old was part of the Afghanistan squad that secured a historic 2-1 T20I series victory against Pakistan in the UAE in March. However, his exclusion from the squad for the Bangladesh series ended his international appearances, at least for now.
Ghani did participate in the Green Afghanistan One Day Cup 2023, representing the Hindukush Strikers. He showcased his batting prowess by scoring 188 runs in five innings, maintaining an impressive average of 47.
Taking to Twitter, Ghani announced his decision to take a break from Afghanistan cricket. He expressed his intention to continue working hard. He stated that he would only consider a return to international cricket once the Afghanistan board establishes the proper management and selection committee. Ghani also criticized the ACB in a series of tweets, mentioning that he attempted to meet with the chairman to clarify his exclusion but received no satisfactory response.
After careful consideration, I have decided to take a break from Afghanistan Cricket. The corrupt leadership in the cricket board has compelled me to step back. I will continue my hard work and eagerly await the right management and selection committee to be put in place. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/lGWQUDdIwJ
— Usman Ghani (@IMUsmanGhani87) July 3, 2023
Since making his international debut in 2014 at 17, Ghani has represented Afghanistan in 17 ODIs and 35 T20Is. His talent and contributions to the team have been recognized over the years, making his absence a significant loss for the national squad.
The situation highlights the importance of ensuring a transparent and efficient selection process within the Afghanistan Cricket Board, with the hope of addressing the concerns raised by players like Ghani and fostering a positive environment for the development of cricket in the country.
