Australia’s opening batsman Usman Khawaja showed that he is open to gain grounds and produce a sense of learning curve in tough conditions when the chips are down. The southpaw was the star of the show in the first Test against Pakistan, which concluded on Friday in Dubai. The opener stopped Pakistan from making inroads and handed his side an unlikely draw.
The vitality Khawaja brought in his game after a brilliant knock of 141, showed his maturity and the willingness to produce a fight.   He batted for eight hours and 44 minutes in the second innings and the painstaking rearguard was noticed by one and all. He had to contend with Yasir Shah out of the rough, a and also extreme heat of Dubai. The odds were against the player.
On the third evening, the first Test match was all but dead and buried from an Australian angle. They were in all sorts of trouble and needed a herculean effort to produce something extraordinary. In came Khawaja, who put in a terrific show that is already being regarded as one of the game’s best 4th innings knock ever.
To handle the mantle in the absence of David Warner, speaks highly of the left-hander, who knows this would help him to play more such innings. With the home series against India in December, the stakes would be high, and Khawaja could deliver the necessities if he plays with similar hunger and determination.
Khawaja plays one of greatest Test innings
Khawaja, who struck a solid 85 in the first innings, played one of the greatest second innings knock that remains in the memory since quite some time. He took his time to foil the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Pakistani team and although it was never easy he kept a calm head.
Khawaja consumed 302 deliveries to help his side bat long. It was always going to be a matter of survival. 140 overs was a stiff ask for any side to play the survival card. What bode well for the visitors was that Khawaja’s grit rubbed on to the others and showed them the way its to be done.
Australian skipper Tim Paine (61*) showed his significance too and battled poor form to come strong in a pivotal situation away from home. He ushered praise on Khawaja in his post-match conference. “I am really proud of Usman, too, on one of the great Test innings,” said Paine.
Khawaja’s score is no way near the top 10 or top 15 individually, but it was the character that will help a side still moving on from the ball-tampering scandal against South Africa earlier this year. It gives players a reason to believe in the work they are putting.
A different inning from previous Asian outings
Coming into this match in the UAE, Khawaja averaged just 14.62 in Asia in his previous nine innings. That itself highlights the struggle and lack of application. The talented southpaw had managed to occupy the crease for just 295 balls in those nine outings.
But this innings was so much different. His handling of the likes of Yasir Shah, who picked 6 wickets in the first innings, was a commendable show. He faced a total off 477 deliveries against Pakistan in these two innings.
Khawaja played the reverse sweep, and also showed his positive intent against the pacers. He defended off the front foot. There was also the lofted shot and some beautiful drives and cuts. When Pakistani spinners were on, he made sure he rotated the strike in quick succession.
Asian wickets are mostly slow, low and have dusty surfaces. Khawaja, who is 34-Test old, went on to play his best innings of his career. When Australia visited India last time, Khawaja was determined to make it count and put in a lot of work in the 2-week practice camp. But he didn’t get a game.
This time the scenario changed and the desire bore fruit.
It wasn’t easy though. There was a terrific battle for the viewers as Mohammad Abbas spiced it up against the southpaw. The Pakistani bowler was fresh from the scalps from the previous day which included the likes of Aaron Finch and the Marsh brothers – Shaun and Mitchell. The pacer missed the outside edge of Khawaja’s bat multiple times earlier in the 5th day.
Khawaja survived the onslaught and then just batted on and on.
Khawaja helps Aussies do the unthinkable
The left-hander made sure that the Aussies achieved their highest 4th innings score ever on Asia soil (362/8) in their 141-year-old history. This means a lot as the match went down the wire to the final over with Pakistan needing two wickets to win.
Khawaja added the match-defining partnership with Travis Head (72) to get Australia to a position of comfort after they were reeling at 87/3. It was then left to Tim Paine (61*) to stop Pakistan’s advances in the closing stages of the game.
This draw says a lot about this group of current players in the Aussie line-up. The exciting bunch demonstrated the character that is needed to be successful in this format, The players’ fight, passion and temperament was top notch and Khawaja led the proceedings.
Khawaja a crucial force against India
With Warner and Steve Smith to miss the series against India due to their bans, the onus will be on Khawaja to make it count at home. Post the 2017-18 Ashes, it is another crucial series where he needs to make an impact his own way.
Importantly it is representing Australia and fighting for the baggy green cap. Indian bowlers have done well outside the subcontinent and the battle will be a top one. If Khawaja manages to pull off something heroic like this performance against Pakistan, the Australian team will benefit immensely.
He will have Aaron Finch for company. Finch with his aggressive nature will help Khawaja be the provider and the consolidator.
Khawaja proved once again that hard work conquers everything and the satisfaction was telling.”It was mostly about getting a hundred for Australia on the last day of a match, trying to save a game. A lot of work goes into playing cricket at the highest level. I work as hard as anyone,” said the player post the match against Pakistan.