Pakistan vs Australia 2018: Never had an Innings Like that - Usman Khawaja

Australia opener Usman Khawaja said his impressive innings which helped Australia to draw the first Test match against Pakistan in Dubai, was unlike any knock he had ever played in Tests. The left-hander scored 141 runs off 302 deliveries which helped Australia salvage a draw. However, the century was Usman’s first in Asia. Khawaja, moreover, stayed for 524 minutes on the crease – the longest by an Australia batsman in the fourth innings in Tests. It, however, helped his country to steal a thrilling draw over the hosts in the first game of the two-match Test series.

I have never played an inning like that – Usman

“That was as tough as any innings as I’ve played. I was drenched. I came off the field with sweat through my shirt. My shirt was drenched, and my pants were drenched. That took it out of me a fair bit. I’ve never had an innings like that,” Usman Khawaja said.

Khawaja also said the conditions were so bad as it was too hot in Dubai but also loved the way he batted and secured a draw.

“I was just asking for God to get the sun down so we could get some shade. We got in the changerooms and felt good again,” he added.

However, the southpaw also scored 85 runs from 175 balls in the first innings. Khawaja added he was trying to save the match and was committed to doing so.

“I was just batting like it was any other innings. I wasn’t worried about whether it was the fourth innings or whether we were trying to save a match at any stage. It was more of a mindset thing to make sure we stayed positive,” Usman Khawaja added.

Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja previous scored 117 runs from nine innings in Asia. However, he already accumulated 226 runs in the first Test and also scored his maiden century against Pakistan.

“I knew that if I went away from batting normally, I was more likely to get out in those conditions,” he said.