Pakistan all-rounder Hamza Nazar has been banned from all forms of cricket for two years and fined PKR 1 million by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after he was found to have submitted misleading information during his visa application process.
The PCB announced the decision on August 6 after completing an internal inquiry into the matter. The 27-year-old had been making steady progress in domestic cricket and was reportedly in contention for his first Test call-up for Pakistan’s recent tour of the West Indies. However, the visa-related issue ended those hopes and resulted in disciplinary action instead.
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In its statement, the PCB said it has a zero-tolerance policy towards providing false or incomplete information in official documents. The board stressed that maintaining honesty and professionalism is essential for everyone associated with Pakistan cricket.
“The PCB takes matters involving misrepresentation, non-disclosure and the submission of misleading information extremely seriously,” the board said.
It added that such behaviour does not match the standards expected from players representing Pakistan cricket.
The Sialkot-born all-rounder was given a chance to present his side during the inquiry. However, the three-member committee concluded that his explanation was not satisfactory and decided to impose a two-year suspension based on the evidence available.
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Strong performances in domestic cricket
Nazar is an off-spin bowling all-rounder who can also make useful contributions with the bat. Earlier this year, he produced one of the best innings of his career by scoring an unbeaten 175 from 202 balls while batting at No. 7 for Khan Research Laboratories against Pakistan Television in the President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament.
Before that, he impressed with both bat and ball in a match against Ghani Glass, picking up four wickets and scoring 71 runs.
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Nazar’s career so far
Nazar made his first-class debut in 2014 before playing his first T20 match nine years later.
In 16 first-class matches, he has scored 748 runs at an average of just under 30, including one century and five half-centuries. With the ball, he has taken 26 wickets at an average of over 37, with two five-wicket hauls to his name.
In List A cricket, he has played 15 matches, taken 18 wickets, including one four-wicket haul, and scored one half-century.
His T20 record has been modest so far. In 10 matches, he has managed only three wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate of more than 10 per over.