Usman Khan has been called into Pakistan’s training squad after his remarkable display in the Pakistan Super League.
The Multan Sultans batting star was named among 29 players to undergo a fitness camp run in collaboration with the Pakistan Army in Abbottabad.
Usman had been due back in Dubai on Saturday following his stint at the PSL. The number of days he spends outside of the UAE is closely monitored as part of his previously stated desire to qualify for the UAE national team.
A player can become eligible for an adopted team after three years as resident in the new country. Usman has lived in the UAE for that duration.
However, his eligibility has been delayed by the number of days he has spent outside the country in that time, specifically when he has been in Pakistan for the PSL, and Bangladesh for that country’s T20 league.
He has risen to prominence playing in those competitions, having scored centuries in each the PSL and BPL.
His form in the most recent edition of the PSL, which concluded a week ago, brought him even greater stardom.
He scored 96, then centuries in successive matches, to power Multan Sultans into the playoffs. He then struck a half century in the final, only for his side to fall to a thrilling, last-ball defeat Islamabad United.
His run of form earned him a call-up to the training camp in Abbottabad. It does not immediately discount him from representing the UAE in future, but it now seems likely he will choose Pakistan.
Usman had previously stated that a lack of backing in Pakistan and the precarious nature of top-level cricket in the country had led him to pursue an opportunity in the Emirates instead.
He was recently granted a retainer contract by the Emirates Cricket Board for the first time, with a view to bringing him into the side as soon as he is eligible next year.
However, it is understood Usman is now increasingly keen on the prospect of playing for his country of birth, with the T20 World Cup in the US and Caribbean taking place in June.
As such, he has stayed on to take part in the training camp alongside the stars of the game in Pakistan.
According to a PCB statement, the camp is “designed to prepare the players for the upcoming series and tournaments, including the home T20I series against New Zealand, the away T20I series against Ireland and England, and the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup in USA and West Indies”.
The squad of players also includes two other players who were previously unavailable to the Pakistan selectors.
Imad Wasim, the player of the match in the PSL final, and Mohammed Amir both went back on their decisions to retire from international duty this week.
Pakistan training squad
Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Haseebullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Irfan Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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