The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) sent Pakistani-born cricketer Mohammad Zohaib back to Dubai, citing violations of team discipline.

 

The board added that further details would be released at an appropriate time and said it did not wish to comment further at this stage.

 

However, Zohaib claimed that team management sent him home during the T20 World Cup because of his nationality.

 

He alleged that the entire UAE team management had links to India and that he was removed from the team for being Pakistani. He has demanded an inquiry into the matter.

 

In a video statement, Zohaib said, “I was called and told to declare myself unfit so I could be sent back to Dubai. When I refused, I was threatened that it would become difficult for me, just like what happened with players from Oman.”

 

He added, “Later, they told me to use my mother’s health as an excuse to go back. When I asked for a reason, they did not provide any and forcibly sent me back. These people want to bring their own players into the team.”

 

Zohaib also claimed that he was removed from the ground during practice and told, “You have a flight, go back to Dubai. If you do not go, we will cancel your hotel booking and you will have to stay at your own expense. This is India, anything can happen to you here.”

 

Filming from the airport, Zohaib appealed to the ECB and ICC, saying, “I have been treated unfairly. The team management sent me back without any reason. Our entire management is Indian. We represent UAE here. Pakistani or Indian nationality should not matter. This video might harm me, but I will speak out.”

 

The UAE team is currently in Chennai, India, for the T20 World Cup. Earlier, visas of several Pakistani-born cricketers from different countries were denied, and this latest incident has raised serious concerns about the integrity of sports.