So hot is Usman Khawaja‘s vein of form that it took an exceptional delivery to remove the Australian opener for 160 on day two of the second Pakistan Test.
After the Pakistan-born Khawaja marked his return to his homeland with an opening-day century and reached 150 shortly before lunch on the second day, the left-hander was eventually dismissed by a tremendous Sajid Khan ball.
The Pakistan tweaker pitched a length ball on the off-stump line and Khawaja rocked onto his back foot as he attempted to defend, only for the delivery to spin just enough and crash into the off peg.
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Australia lost another two wickets over the remainder of the day and reached stumps at 8-505, after forcing Pakistan to field for 180 overs across the first two days.
“How about that! No wonder he celebrates for that,” said former England batter Rob Key on Fox Cricket as Khan clinched the wicket of Khawaja.
“That is the perfect ball.
“To say you’ve bowled that to someone who’s on 160 (and) has been playing so well …
“All of a sudden, he rips one out of the surface.
“Khawaja’s long, long innings comes to an end.”
Legendary Pakistan quick Waqar Younis described Khan’s ball as “the dream delivery”.
“Sajid Khan delighted, happy, excited, all over the place. And why not?” Younis said.
“He got a big wicket here (in) Usman Khawaja.
“What a wonderful innings (has) come to an end.”
Khawaja faced 369 balls and peeled off 15 fours and a six.
The Queensland captain has made 512 runs at 102.4 since returning to the Australian Test XI for this year’s SCG fixture.
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