Hong Kong’s Haseeb Amjad suspended for playing in ‘disapproved’ Nepal T20 tournament

Hong Kong fast bowler Haseeb Amjad has been suspended for one year by Cricket Hong Kong for taking part in a non-sanctioned tournament in Nepal.

The 29-year-old represented the Nepal Storms in the Asian Club Premier League T20 tournament in June and July despite warnings from the governing body that the event was branded “Disapproved Cricket” by the International Cricket Council.

“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,” said Cricket Hong Kong in a statement.

“Cricket Hong Kong had warned him about playing in such Disapproved Cricket and had strongly advised him to withdraw from the event. Nothwithstanding the warnings and advise, Amjad participated in the event.”

Amjad, who last played for Hong Kong in March 2016, is suspended from all cricket – playing, coaching and other related activity – until 19 June 2018.

Amjad has played seven one-day matches, 18 T20s and two first-class games for Hong Kong. His last appearance was against Afghanistan in a World T20 match in Nagpur, where Hong Kong lost by six wickets.

One of his best performances was in July 2015 when he took four wickets for 16 runs as Hong Kong bowled out Nepal for 109 in their five-wicket victory in a World T20 qualifier in Belfast.

He was among the leading wicket-takers in that tournament but is not one of Hong Kong’s contract cricketers.