- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 6,698
Usman Khan during the press conference after his useful innings of 37* off 28 balls in the first match of the T20I Tri-series in Rawalpindi.
Q: Usman, Mashallah, you played very well today when the team needed you most. As a wicketkeeper, do you think the management and coaches are considering your role for the World Cup? How confident are you after this innings?
A: First of all, I thank Allah. I don’t know about the World Cup team, but my effort is to perform better than other keeper-batters and contribute with the bat. Early wickets fell today, and the coach told me to stay at the crease, build a partnership, and finish the game. Alhamdulillah, I was able to do that.
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Q: You have a special connection with Rawalpindi. You’ve scored centuries here and today played another match-winning knock. Do you consider Pindi a lucky ground? And reflecting on your disappointment after the Pakistan-India match in New York, do you feel you’ve completed the “circle” of returning through domestic cricket?
A: I’ve played first-class matches, one-day games, the Hanif Muhammad Trophy, and local tournaments in Pakistan. I worked hard on my fitness, which was weak initially, and the coaches helped me improve. Better fitness made wicketkeeping easier. Regarding Pindi, it’s a different wicket, but I’ve played many PSL matches here. I now focus on spending time at the crease, building partnerships, and playing longer innings instead of rushing shots. That’s been my improvement.
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Q: Mohammad Haris once replaced Mohammad Rizwan but couldn’t succeed. Now you’re filling Rizwan’s role. Does that add pressure? And when you first came from the UAE and struggled, did you regret returning?
A: No, I never thought it was a mistake. Playing for Pakistan is everyone’s dream, and I accepted the chance wholeheartedly. In the UAE, you remain an associate player, but here it’s a Test nation. Performances are visible in the social media era, and Allah rewards hard work. Rizwan is a legendary wicketkeeper, and I can’t compare myself to him. My role is to keep wickets and give my best for Pakistan.
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Q: You were the first-choice keeper in the UAE, but in Pakistan you faced tough competition from Rizwan, Haseebullah, and Haris. With the World Cup coming, how difficult will it be to secure a spot?
A: I don’t think that far ahead. If I get a chance, I’ll play my natural game and give 100% for the team. My focus is on performing on the ground, not on future tournaments. If you perform well, opportunities will come.
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Q: In PSL, you often bat at different positions, and today we saw similar shuffling. Do you think batting numbers should be fixed, or do you adapt to whatever role is given?
A: In T20s, batting numbers have been consistent. Coaches told me I’d play at No. 5 or 6 and keep wickets. Most of my cricket has been at those positions. Even in domestic tournaments, I’ve batted at 4, 5, or 6. I adjust according to management’s decision.
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Q: Finally, congratulations on the win. Pakistan chased 148 in the last over. Were batting conditions difficult, especially with the heavy dew mentioned by Brad Evans?
A: Conditions weren’t ideal. As a keeper, I noticed the ball was slowing down. Zimbabwe played very well in the last eight overs, which stretched the target. We made a good comeback by building partnerships, rotating strike, and taking boundary opportunities. Fakhar Bhai also played brilliantly, whenever the required run rate was 10, he told me not to worry, just keep singles, and he would take the chances.
Q: Usman, Mashallah, you played very well today when the team needed you most. As a wicketkeeper, do you think the management and coaches are considering your role for the World Cup? How confident are you after this innings?
A: First of all, I thank Allah. I don’t know about the World Cup team, but my effort is to perform better than other keeper-batters and contribute with the bat. Early wickets fell today, and the coach told me to stay at the crease, build a partnership, and finish the game. Alhamdulillah, I was able to do that.
---
Q: You have a special connection with Rawalpindi. You’ve scored centuries here and today played another match-winning knock. Do you consider Pindi a lucky ground? And reflecting on your disappointment after the Pakistan-India match in New York, do you feel you’ve completed the “circle” of returning through domestic cricket?
A: I’ve played first-class matches, one-day games, the Hanif Muhammad Trophy, and local tournaments in Pakistan. I worked hard on my fitness, which was weak initially, and the coaches helped me improve. Better fitness made wicketkeeping easier. Regarding Pindi, it’s a different wicket, but I’ve played many PSL matches here. I now focus on spending time at the crease, building partnerships, and playing longer innings instead of rushing shots. That’s been my improvement.
---
Q: Mohammad Haris once replaced Mohammad Rizwan but couldn’t succeed. Now you’re filling Rizwan’s role. Does that add pressure? And when you first came from the UAE and struggled, did you regret returning?
A: No, I never thought it was a mistake. Playing for Pakistan is everyone’s dream, and I accepted the chance wholeheartedly. In the UAE, you remain an associate player, but here it’s a Test nation. Performances are visible in the social media era, and Allah rewards hard work. Rizwan is a legendary wicketkeeper, and I can’t compare myself to him. My role is to keep wickets and give my best for Pakistan.
---
Q: You were the first-choice keeper in the UAE, but in Pakistan you faced tough competition from Rizwan, Haseebullah, and Haris. With the World Cup coming, how difficult will it be to secure a spot?
A: I don’t think that far ahead. If I get a chance, I’ll play my natural game and give 100% for the team. My focus is on performing on the ground, not on future tournaments. If you perform well, opportunities will come.
---
Q: In PSL, you often bat at different positions, and today we saw similar shuffling. Do you think batting numbers should be fixed, or do you adapt to whatever role is given?
A: In T20s, batting numbers have been consistent. Coaches told me I’d play at No. 5 or 6 and keep wickets. Most of my cricket has been at those positions. Even in domestic tournaments, I’ve batted at 4, 5, or 6. I adjust according to management’s decision.
---
Q: Finally, congratulations on the win. Pakistan chased 148 in the last over. Were batting conditions difficult, especially with the heavy dew mentioned by Brad Evans?
A: Conditions weren’t ideal. As a keeper, I noticed the ball was slowing down. Zimbabwe played very well in the last eight overs, which stretched the target. We made a good comeback by building partnerships, rotating strike, and taking boundary opportunities. Fakhar Bhai also played brilliantly, whenever the required run rate was 10, he told me not to worry, just keep singles, and he would take the chances.
