SYDNEY: Islamabad-born Australian batter Usman Khawaja believes that Australia have a great opportunity to give back to cricket and inspire a generation of cricketers by touring Pakistan.
Khawaja, who was has played the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the country, said that he is hoping to be part of the touring party. “I’ve always had great support in the subcontinent, Bangladesh, India and particularly Pakistan where I was born,” Khawaja said on Fox Cricket.
“They were amazing even when I was there for the PSL. I would like to go back there and play. It is not that far away but it seems far. Even if I go there on tour, it will be amazing,” the left-handed batter added.
He also highlighted impact of the tour on the young fans in Pakistan, who have not seen top international cricketers on home soil. “I think it is a great opportunity for Australian cricket to give a little back,” Khawaja said.
“I said that to the guys, you can actually inspire a generation of cricketers who have never seen you play – never seen David Warner, Steve Smith, they see them on TV. You actually inspire a generation by just going back over there,” he added.
“I don’t think there is a better way to give back to the game than to tour a country like Pakistan who have been deprived for so long. So hopefully we will get over there not just for my sake but for Pakistan cricket and all those young boys and girls out there,” he concluded.
Khawaja made a comeback into the Australian Test team in the fourth match of the Ashes with twin centuries at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia are scheduled to embark on their first tour of the country since 1998. Australia will play three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I in the tour. The tour starts with the Tests on March 3 and ends with the T20I on April 5.
