26-Year-Old Afghanistan Star Usman Ghani Announces Break From Cricket, Slams Board As ‘Corrupt'

Usman Ghani: This is not the first time that allegations of corruption have been levelled against the ACB by its own players.

Usman Ghani of Afghanistan during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Australia and Afghanistan at Adelaide Oval on November 04, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia.

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In a shocking news from Afghanistan Cricket, country's star player from the national team Usman Ghani has levelled serious allegations against the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). The opening batter also announced his decision to take an indefinite break from the sport. Further, he added that he will only return once a ‘right management and selection committee’ is appointed.

"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," Ghani tweeted.

"Once that happens, I will proudly return to play for Afghanistan. Until then, I am backing myself from representing my beloved nation Despite multiple visits, I couldn't meet the chairman as he remained unavailable," he added.

Moreover, the chief selector had no satisfactory response for my exclusion from all formats. 3/3

— Usman Ghani (@IMUsmanGhani87) July 3, 2023

Ghani took to Twitter to emphasise on the current state of affairs in the ACB after being overlooked for a spot in the squad for the forthcoming bilateral series against Bangladesh. He even revealed that he tried to meet with the chairman of the board on multiple occasions but his attempts were futile and there was no explanation for his absence from the squad.

The 26-year-old, who has made useful contributions to the team and has been one of the top players, last appeared in a T20I match against Pakistan in March 2023. He had featured in two T20Is out of the three in that series. He is yet to play a Test match and was not selected for the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka.

This is not the first time that allegations of corruption have been levelled against the ACB. In 2019, former Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib claimed that corruption is prevalent in the board, threatening to 'name and humiliate' everyone for 'betraying' the country's people. Naib had made some of startling revelations in a series of Tweets.

One of his tweets specifically mentioned: “My dear Afghans, the main reason why I went public is not because I have personal grudge against player or the board. I am going to reveal every persons identity involved in corruption and other misconducts and betrayals against our Nation cricket and its ppl."

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's next cricketing assignment is the three-match ODI series against Bangaldesh followed by a couple of T20Is. The first of the three 50-over fixtures will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram on July 5 (Wednesday).