Cricket Hong Kong suspends Haseeb Amjad for one year

Hong Kong pacer, Haseeb Amjad has been suspended for one year by the Cricket Hong Kong after he violated the rules and participated in a disapproved cricket tournament. Amjad represented the Nepal Storms in the Asia Premier League T20 tournament held in June and July this year.

Despite being warned by the Cricket Hong Kong for not participating in the tournament which wasn’t approved by the ICC, Amjad featured in the league and thus will now be suspended from all cricket related activities until 19 June 2018; the same day he first featured in the disapproved cricket tournament.

The tournament was hosted by Kirtipur, Nepal between June 19 and July 4. Amjad led the Nepal franchise to finals who won the inaugural edition of the tournament. The event had a lot of fingers being pointed in the direction for being fishy and producing many uncertain situations.

The Rawalpindi born Amjad featured in 7 T20Is and 18 ODIs for Hong Kong and picked up 11 and 24 wickets respectively. He also played in two Intercontinental Cup matches for his side and picked up 10 wickets including a 5-fer and a 4-fer.

Cricket Hong Kong in a press release stated:

“Cricket Hong Kong has suspended Haseeb Amjad for participating in the Asian Club Premier League that took place in Kathmandu, Nepal in June and July this year. This tournament was not approved by the ICC in accordance with its regulations for the sanctioning of events and consequently constituted Disapproved Cricket.”

“Any person affiliated to a national cricket body may not participate in any Disapproved Cricket and Cricket Hong Kong was obliged to take action against Haseeb Amjad. Cricket Hong Kong had warned him about playing in such Disapproved Cricket and had strongly advised him to withdraw from the event. Notwithstanding the warnings and advice, Amjad participated in the event,” it read.

“It was therefore decided to impose a suspension from all Cricket activity (including playing, coaching and any other related activity) in Hong Kong for 12 months from the date of his first participation in the Asia Club Premier League. This suspension will end on 19 June 2018.”