Rameez Khan selected in MP Ranji squad

Indore: All-rounder Rameez Khan who is facing the charges of killing a black buck has been selected again in the Madhya Pradesh Ranji trophy cricket team.

Khan was arrested in the case following which he was dropped from the team in the last season. He was subsequently released on bail.

Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association two days ago announced 16-member squad which would be led by Devendra Bundela for the first two matches of Ranji trophy. Khan (26) figures in the team.

“The court has not yet convicted Rameez. He was selected in the team on the basis of his competence and performance,” MPCA CEO Rohit Pandit said today when asked about Rameez’s selection.

“We are keeping an eye on the whole issue. Until the court convicts him we cannot punish him as per the rules,” Pandit said.

MPCA secretary Milind Kanmadikar also said that as long as the court does not convict him, no disciplinary action can be taken against Khan as per the MPCA constitution.

Khan, his father Mehmood Khan and two others were arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act on January 10, 2016 and remains of a black buck (an endangered species), a rifle, live cartridges and a knife were recovered from their possession.

Mehmood Khan too had been a part of the MP cricket squad in the past.

Rameez Khan debuted in the first class cricket in 2011. So far he has played 26 first class matches for the state, scoring 1,169 runs and taking eight wickets.

PTI