Usman Qadir, Australia
Usman Qadir says he wishes to play for Australia by 2020.

Usman Qadir, the son of a Pakistan’s great, Abdul Qadir, donned the Australian colours for the first time in the PM XI’s win over South Africa in a one-day warm up. However, Usman Qadir had picked up three wickets in the match and now has set his sights on playing for Australia by 2020.

Qadir eyes Australia debut

Moreover, Usman Qadir has a collection of leg-breaks, googlies, and top-spins. Meanwhile, he is in the country on a temporary activity visa. Also, Qadir has a better plan of applying for a distinguished talent visa so that he can stay and can represent the national team in times to come.

However, the leg-spinner’s goal is to play the T20 World Cup in 2020 for Australia. Previously, there was another Pakistani who secured the citizenship to play for Australia was Fawad Ahmed.

Usman Qadir, Cricket Australia
Usman Qadir aims to represent Australia by 2020.

“My goal is to play for Australia in 2020 in the T20 World Cup. Before that, if I get the opportunity to play for Australia in a Test or one-day cricket, I would love that.” Usman Qadir said.

Furthermore, Qadir has played in Australian grade cricket and had recently made his debut for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield. However, Usman Qadir is happy that his father has approved him to switch countries to play cricket.

“There is a very big debate whenever I talk about Pakistan things. I’d just keep on telling my dad that I want to play for Australia and he keeps telling me ‘no, you have to play for Pakistan,” Usman Qadir told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Leg-spinner aims to bring laurels to the country

In addition to that, Usman Qadir waited for long to play for Pakistan. His name got added in the teams but never got an opportunity to play for his nation. However, he came to Australia and had earned a name for himself also.

Read More  PCB fat shaming Azam Khan in Army Training Camp? Pakistan board leaks details of Tests failed by wicketkeeper-batsman
Usman Qadir
Usman Qadir. PC: Getty Images

“For a couple of years I did not get any chance to play in Pakistan, I got named in the teams but I never played, in Twenty20s or one-dayers or whatever, I was always sitting on the bench. When I came here, they give me the opportunity, and I’m performing,” he concluded.

However, Australia will play the first ODI against the Proteas on November 4 (Sunday).