Islamabad born Usman a potential for the Australians
Usman Tahiq Khawaja is another Pakistani who will be playing Test cricket for another country. Usman, an immigrant in Australia was selected in their squad for playing two test match cricket series against Pakistan in England starting from 13th July, 2010.
Usman was born in Islamabad, the modern Capital of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, on 18th December, 1986. He was only four when he was shifted to Australia as an immigrant. Australia is a country where lots of Pakistanis families are settled as immigrants after Australia allowed leniency in their immigration policy.
Usman started playing cricket from his club side Randwick-Petersham and polished his batting skills. Usman nick named as “Usie” started his career as representative of a state team New South Wales in the Under-19 Championship of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746. He scored 396 runs in the 7 matched he played with average of 66 which included one century and 2 fifties. He was declared as the best player of the tournament. Later he was selected as a member of Australian Under-19 team to participate in U-19 World Cup played at Sri-Lanka in 2006.
Usman came in the lime light in 2007-08 when he was selected for his state side New South Wales. He became the first player of Pakistani origin to participate in the Australian domestic Cricket at this level. He made his debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Queensland-c834 when he scored 132 on a difficult batting track. He couldn’t complete his tenure at Sheffield Shield due to his broken thumb but he still achieves the elevation.
If he finds place in playing eleven in the opening test match against Pakistan to be started on 13th July at Lord’s he will be the first Muslim player to wear the baggy green. He is confident that his religious view will not affect his game and when asked about his emotions to be the first Muslim player he said, “It [being a Muslim] doesn't cross my mind until someone brings it up. I am around the boys all the time and I never once feel like I am different”.
If selected http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729 is not the first player of Asian origin to play at the highest level for Cricket Australia before him Dav Whatmore played 7 test matches and a maiden One Day International for Australian side in late 70’s. Recently Dirk Nannes was included in Australian T20 squad who played for Dutch side in 2009 T20 World Cup. Nannes is a dual passport holder as his father is a Dutch immigrant.
Usman’s family is very happy about his selection for the Aussies, his father Tahir Khawaja is the man behind Usman’s successful run as a Cricketer, he is who took Usman to practice and managed his time to gave him an opportunity to play cricket. Usman is a graduate in aviation from a university of New South Wales and is a professional pilot. He is expected to turn on his after burners when he starts playing Cricket at its highest level.
Pakistani coach and a famous fast bowler Waqar Younis hailed Usman’s selection in the world’s best cricket team. During his stay in Sydney he has seen him playing cricket where Usman impressed him with his batting skills. But at the same time warned him of any preferential support he may get from the team of his birth place. Usman doesn’t expect much from this tour and is happy about sharing the same dressing room with the players he dreamt of playing with.
Tags: