ISLAMABAD: For Pakistan-born Usman Khawaja, coming here for Australia’s first tour of the country in 24 years is just one part of the story.

Khawaja’s family migrated to Australia and settled in Sydney when he was four years old. He became the first Muslim cricketer to don the baggy green cap when he forced his way into Australia’s Test side in 2011. But only now, at 35 years of age, has he returned to the country of his birth as an international cricketer.

There is then the sporting side of Khawaja’s story. The dashing left-handed batter was out of Australia’s Test team for over two years, only forcing his way back in January by scoring a century in each innings of the fourth Ashes Test in his hometown of Sydney.

It was a game he only played because Travis Head, ahead of him for the No 5 batting spot, had tested positive for Covid.

A month later, Australia confirmed their first tour of Pakistan since 1998. Khawaja was named in the squad for the three Tests in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore. In Pakistan, he is set return to his usual role as an opener alongside the explosive David Warner.

“The fact that I’m playing in Pakistan is special, don’t get me wrong, it’s very special,” Khawaja told reporters during a virtual news conference on Monday, a day after the Pat Cummins-led team landed in Islamabad. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I grew up down the road.”

But he said there will be no room for sentiment when the first ball is bowled in the opening Test on Friday before the second Test in Karachi from March 12-16 and the third in Lahore from March 21-25.

“There is that bit of sentiment definitely, but once the game starts you don’t really think about that stuff,” said Khawaja, who revealed he had visited Pakistan on four occasions, the last time in 2010.

“I look forward to playing in Rawalpindi, where I went to the old stadium as a kid and have played once. Karachi is also special to my heart, where my relatives live, but since we are in a security bubble there is no chance of meeting anyone.”’

Khawaja added that despite his roots, there was no question about which team he wanted to play for.

“My heart was always to play for Australia because I have lived my whole life there,” he said. “It was my good luck that I got a chance to play for Australia in 2011 [against England]. I’ve played for such a long time now. I’ve been out of the team, I’m back in the team — every game for me now for Australia is just a bonus.”

He said he doesn’t expect any hostility from the crowd.

“I’ve got a lot of support here in Pakistan always. I think they’ll support me, they’ll hope I get runs, but they’ll be hoping Australia get smashed at the same time,” Khawaja said with a smile.

“It’s going to be one of those Catch-22s. But I don’t expect a hostile crowd. Pakistanis love their cricket, and they appreciate good cricket, and I think that’s what they’d be hoping for.”

But he did say that his family will be split on who to cheer for.

“My parents support Pakistan and I support Australia, but I follow the Pakistani culture and speak Urdu with my mother at home,” said Khawaja, informing that circumstances prevented his parents from coming to Pakistan.

“My father definitely loves cricket and has been watching it his whole life. He is very excited that I get to play in Pakistan. Both my father and mother wanted to come and watch me, particularly in Rawalpindi where we lived, but circumstances mean that they are not coming out. I hope they can watch from the comfort of their living room. “

Khawaja praised the pace-bowling and batting quality in the Pakistan squad. He hoped that soon Pakistan and India would start featuring in bilateral series.

“I’ve grown up watching Pakistan-India games,” he said. “Hopefully the International Cricket Council can get them playing together again. I think hopefully we can get this box ticked and then you know that’s the next goal for Pakistan cricket.”

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2022