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Abdul Qadir’s son quits Pakistan for Australia

Usman reveals politics in sports played a part in his decision

Abdul Qadir’s son quits Pakistan for Australia PHOTO COURTESY: ICC

Usman Qadir, son of legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, has said that he has decided to quit Pakistan and opted to play for Australia.

The 25-year-old made his debut in Western Australia where he picked 3 wickets for 50 runs as the Warriors crushed Victoria by six wickets in their JLT Cup match at Junction Oval, where like father, his wrong-un was too good for the Australians.

“No more Pakistan. I want to play for Australia definitely, 100%, because I didn’t get any chances in Pakistan,” said Usman after WA’s win on Wednesday according to ESPNcricinfo.

He played first-class cricket in Pakistan, where he failed to make any impact, but moved to Australia in 2016 and last summer played grade cricket in Sydney.

Usman had previously harboured ambitions to follow his father and play for Pakistan, but became disillusioned with the running of the sport in the country, which he says was infested with politics. “There is politics. I did not get any chances [in Pakistan],” he said.

Usman has already signed as a replacement player with the Big Bash League’s Perth Scorchers, and is eyeing a move to WA to play grade cricket, and potentially in the Sheffield Shield.

In the longer-term, Usman is hopeful of following in the footsteps of Fawad Ahmed by obtaining Australian citizenship, and is eyeing a place in the Kangaroos squad for the 2020 World T20.

“My aim is to perform well in Australia,” he said. “Hopefully I will get citizenship in two years’ time. My goal is to play for Australia at the 2020 World T20.”

His father took 236 wickets in 67 Test matches for Pakistan and is widely considered one of the best leg-spinners in country’s history.