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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 sessions 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. #PAKvAUS
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) March 12, 2022
What a performance from @Uz_Khawaja. Two hundreds in a Test on recall & now a Ton in his Country of birth. Experience, class and humility. Magnificent. #PAKvAUS
— Callum Ferguson (@calferguson12) March 12, 2022
Usman Khawaja is first Islamabad-born player to score a Test century in Pakistan. #AusvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) March 12, 2022
Fabulous 💯 @Uz_Khawaja 1st century by an Australian in Pakistan in 23 years. The story was written #PAKvAUS
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) March 12, 2022
Day one belongs to Usman Khawaja after his brilliant knock of 127no to continue a memorable return to Pakistan #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/DMzm8M1jez
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 12, 2022
WHAT A MOMENT! Usman Khawaja brings up his ton in Pakistan! 🔥 #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/tC3DEgi3XA
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 12, 2022
BANG: Usman Khawaja has a Test hundred in Pakistan. What a moment.
Who would have thought it? The kid from Pakistan comes good.
Brilliant dig. Aus 2-198 in box seat. pic.twitter.com/95RAxR4l6T
— Tom Decent (@tomdecent) March 12, 2022
A Test ton in Pakistan for Usman Khawaja!#PAKvAUS LIVE ⏩ https://t.co/q8BzAAbrSQ pic.twitter.com/Vo7KhDhLGY
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 12, 2022
Yeaaaaahhhh @Uz_Khawaja !! So special. 💯 big ones at last 👏🏼❤️ #PAKVSAUS
— Erin Holland (@erinvholland) March 12, 2022
Six months ago, Usman Khawaja was comfortable at the thought he’d never play Test cricket again. Now he’s writing his own fairytales in Pakistan. Such a special cricket story. #PAKvAUS
— Adam White (@White_Adam) March 12, 2022
A shy smile from Usman Khawaja catching the first glimpse of his excited teammates when walking up the race at stumps. #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/jMXdkwcjMX
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) March 12, 2022
Usman Khawaja completely at home as you would expect. Superb batting in home conditions #PAKVSAUS
— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) March 12, 2022
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 #PAKvAUS series live on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v (in select regions) 📺#WTC23 | https://t.co/lcSa2P7Q3l pic.twitter.com/w6o1i8FhKU
— ICC (@ICC) March 12, 2022
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#Twitter #reactions #Usman #Khawajas #ton #Australia #edge #Pakistan #Day #Karachi #Test
