After being ignored by the Pakistan selectors - Usman Qadir, son of Pakistani spin bowler Abdul Qadir, has revealed that he is planning to represent Australia in the World Twenty20 in 2020. The failure to break into the national side and the expectations placed on his shoulders by virtue of being the son of legendary Abdul Qadir, Usman's patience seems to have reached its limit as he spoke about his plans to apply for Australian citizenship.
Usman revealed that he was offered Australian citizenship back in 2012 during the Under-19 World Cup, but he ignored the same.
"I was offered Australian citizenship back in 2012 around the time when the Under-19 World Cup ended. At that time, I did not accept the offer on the advice of my father, as he felt that I had done well at the Under-19 level and had a bright future ahead with the Pakistan side. I went back to Pakistan and was ignored for selection from the national side. I then told the Pakistan Cricket Board that I am going back to Australia which prompted them to add my name to the Pakistan squad for the 2013 tour of West Indies. However, very close to the time of departure for the squad, my name was removed without any reason due to what can only be described as a case of 'dislike' for a certain player," the Pakpassion.net quoted Usman as saying.
The 24-year-old further revealed that his selection issues did not stop there as he continued to being snubbed even out-performing the likes of Yasir Shah for Pakistan A.
"I recently came over to Australia a few months ago with Lahore Qalandars along with some other players too. Make no mistake, I really admire players like Salman Irshad and his performance in Grade B cricket in Australia, but despite my excellent Grade A cricket results in Australia, he was preferred over me for this year's PSL by Lahore Qalandars, purely due to political reasons," he said.
However, Usman said that he now could no longer afford to wait for opportunities which will never arise in Pakistan and, therefore, looking to make his father proud by representing Australia.
"My goal is clear. I plan to represent Australia in the World Twenty20 in 2020 in Australia. I wish to use the same process of acquiring the 'Distinguished Talent Visa', which Fawad Ahmed also used to allow him to play for Australia. This visa allows any talented sportsman to gain permanent residency in Australia and this is the path I wish to follow as well," he said.
Usman has appeared in eight first-class matches for Pakistan taking seven wickets, while he made 17 List A matches bagging 15 wickets.
(With Agency Inputs)
