Usman delighted to join probables for Kakul camp

ISLAMABAD: Delighted to become part of the national cricket team’s probables of the fitness camp for the forthcoming season that starts with the T20 series against New Zealand, Usman Khan said playing for Pakistan would be like a dream come true.

The youngster from Sheikhupura took the Pakistan Super League (PSL) IX by storm scoring two centuries on his way to attain an unmatched 107 runs average per innings. Usman’s role was instrumental in taking Multan Sultans into the final of the ninth edition.

“I am still holding my Pakistani passport and am eligible to play for the country where I started my cricketing career. I have settled in the UAE only for cricketing purposes. It would be nothing less than a dream come true if I go on to represent Pakistan at international stage in days to come,” Usman said while talking to ‘The News’ following his inclusion in the fitness camp established in Kakul.

“Obviously playing international cricket for the country where you reside is what you aim at. I am delighted to see my name in the fitness training camp. Hopefully, the way I batted in the PSL 9 where I scored 430 runs in just seven innings with three unbeaten knocks, I would continue to do that for my country if given the chance,” he said.

Usman added that he always tried to make the best of opportunities coming his way. “Whenever and wherever I play, I try to make the best of the given opportunity. It will be a great honour for me to represent my country at any stage.”

The hard-hitting batsman is equally a good wicket-keeper as in most of the PSL 9 matches he kept wickets for Multan even in the presence of Mohammad Rizwan. “I like keeping wickets apart from batting. I kept wickets for Multan Sultans with utmost success and could well do that even for my country if given the opportunity.”

Usman also likes to bat anywhere his team wants him. “I can bat at any order as I usually believe in taking the game head on. I always try to make maximum use of my stay at the wicket.”