Speaking in an interview, Usman Khan:
“In Pakistan I felt like nobody was looking to me and I wasn’t getting a chance, so I wanted to go somewhere else for an opportunity"
“I came to UAE and have worked hard. I just want to work hard then try to make the UAE team once I am eligible."
“When corona[virus] happened, cricket went down in Pakistan and no-one was asking me to play. I decided to move to UAE for my cricket.
“My dream is not to play for Pakistan. My dream is to play for UAE. I am working hard to do that. One day I want to play against Pakistan to show them my talent. I am waiting for my time.”
“At 3.30pm I got a message from [coach] Andy Flower telling me I was playing,”
“I thought that was the best chance for me. If I could not get the runs that day, maybe the door would be closed for me."
“As we went out to bat, Rizwan told me to play my natural game. I said to him that first I have to settle, then I will play my game. I watched a couple of balls, then went for it.
“When I got that hundred, Haider and Andy Flower told me they would help me play in other leagues, too,”
“Andy has worked so hard with me, and I am very grateful to him. He has helped me hit at a strike-rate of 200, and has told me he will try for me in other leagues, too.”
“When I spoke to Andy [Russell, the national development manager for UAE cricket], I said I would make a double hundred,”
“After I made 150 [in an earlier match], Andy said, ‘You still haven’t made 200.’ I said, ‘Don’t worry, there are still four matches left, I will do it.’ Luckily, I did.”
