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Usman Khawaja’s remarkable effort with the willow helped Australia take the honours on the opening day of the ongoing second Test against Pakistan.
Batting first at the iconic National Stadium in Karachi, the visitors started well, with David Warner and Khawaja adding 82 runs for the opening wicket. The partnership was broken by Faheem Ashraf when he got rid of Warner for 36 in the 18th over. Soon, Australian batting sensation Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for a 9-ball duck after meeting a run-out in the✃ 21st over.
Before Pakistan could capitalise further, Khawaja and Steve Smith joined hands to take Australia out of trouble. The pair batted nearly two se𝔉ssions and went on to form a dominating stand of 159 runs for the third wicket.
Khawaja continued his golden run in the longest format and smashed the 11th century of his Test career when he flicked Sajid Khan towards square leg for a single. The duo looked well settled to finish the day, but Australia suffered a late blow when Smith fell for 72 in the penultimate over before stumps after Faheem plucked a brilliant catch at second slip off Hasan Ali.
Khawaja’s sensational hundred led Australia to 251/3 at stumps as he finished 127 not out from 266 balls with nightwatchman Nathan Lyon yet to score.
“We (Himself and Smith) had a pretty good partnership before that wicket, but we still have some batting to come. The wicket looks pretty nice and a good one to bat on. It started to reverse in the second session, and that made scoring pretty difficult. They bowled a negative line in the last session, but we didn’t play any rash shots. My family is from Karachi, everyone is born in Karachi, except me. This is where the Khawajas are actually from. It’s nice to get a hundred at this ground, I’ll take it any day,” said Khawaja after the day’s play.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Usman Khawaja since returning to Test side for Sydney Test: 137, 101no, 6, 11, ๊97, 50no.
— Andrew Wu (@wutube)
What a performance from . Two hundreds in a Test on recall & now a Ton in his Country of birth. Experience, class an⛄d humility. Magnificent🐼.
— Callum Ferguson (@calferguson12)
Usman Khawaja is first Islamabad-born player to score a Test century in Pa🎃kistan.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad)
Fabulous 💯 1st century by an Aust🍒ralian in Pakistan in 23 years. The story was written
— Isa Guha (@isaguha)
Day one belongs to Usman Khawaja after his brilliant knock of 127no to continue a memorable return to Pak🎉istan
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus)
WHAT A MOMENT! Usman Khawa༺ja br⛄ings up his ton in Pakistan! 🔥
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
BAN𝓡G: Usman Khawaja has a Test hundred in Pakistan. What a moment.
Who would have t🤪hought it? The kid from Pakistan comes good.
Brilliant dig. Aus 2-198 in box seat.
— Tom Decent (@tomdecent)
A Test ton in Pakist♉an for Usman Khawaja! LIVE ⏩
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Yeaaaaahhhh 𒁏 !! So special. 💯 big ones at last 👏🏼❤༺️
— Erin Holland (@erinvholland)
Six months ago🤡, Usman Khawaja was comfortable at the thought he’d never plaಌy Test cricket again. Now he’s writing his own fairytales in Pakistan. Such a special cricket story.
— Adam White (@White_Adam)
A shy smile 🍎from Usman Khawaja catching the first glimpse of his excited teamma🦹tes when walking up the race at stumps.
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam)
Usman Khawaja completely a📖t home as you would expect. Superb batting in home conditions
— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81)
Stumps in Karachi 🏏
Usman Khawaja's 11th Test ton has put Australia in a strong position at the end of day 1👏
Watch the rest of the series live on ඣ♐(in select regions) 📺 |
— ICC (@ICC)