Usman Khawaja was elated on March 12 after completing his maiden Test hundred on Pakistan soil. Born in the Asian country, the elegant left-hander celebrated a magnificent century on Day 1 of the second Test at “my home” away from home in Australia.
The 35-year-old fell only three runs short of doing so in Rawalpindi, the venue for the first Test of the series and also his place of birth. But he fulfilled his longstanding desire at the National Stadium in the following Test, finishing the play with an unbeaten 127 off 266 deliveries.
“This is where the Khawajas are from. This is my home. Would have been nice to get a hundred both [ in Rawalpindi] and here, but I’ll take this one,”
the player was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo after recording a hundred he will never ever forget.
Khawaja’s milestone moment was followed by a huge round of applause in the stands by Pakistanis, who have really warmed up his beautiful style at the crease, relishing him as one of their own.
“The fans have been great, they’ve been so supportive, I couldn’t ask for more. I love it because you can tell they want Pakistan to win, but you can also tell they are very supportive of me,”
he said.
Khawaja, who shifted base to Australia from Pakistan with his family when he was a kid, had earlier returned to the home shores via the Pakistan Super League T20 as well. But being part of a historic trip that sees Australia’s comeback to Pakistan for a bilateral series after 24 years would’ve been even more special.
What has also been special is Khawaja’s resounding comeback to the Test team over the last few months. Dropped after the Ashes 2019, the 35-year-old was facing an uncertain future in Test whites.
But he was recalled for the recent summer at home after Covid hit Travis Head and struck two fantastic centuries in the New Year’s Test at SCG against England. Since his comeback, Khawaja has averaged 125.75 over six Test innings for Australia.
