A STRANGE LIGHT FROM THE WEST!

Albert Einstein once said, “All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.”

Australian board have made a note of that quote well indeed. With brilliant opportunity platform to players like Usman Tariq Khwaja, his value has certainly raised since his inclusion in the Test side. More importantly, it is the changing perception of Cricket Australia that has come into limelight. Khwaja becomes the first Muslim and Asian to get a call for to play for Australia. One of the major reasons to call it a revolutionary step; shows that merit more than the race is considered for selection.

First class level cricketing performances by him have been remarkable in the past few weeks capitalized on every window of opportunity that was insight for him. With a Bachelor’s degree in aviation, Khwaja is all set to take off his Test career.

In action in one of his first-class games

Any person of a foreign, especially Asians have NEVER made it to the Australian side. However, Khwaja seems to have broken through all these preconceived notions and managed to make a strong mark. Some of the finest examples of Asian-origin players being in the foreign teams can be Nasser Hussein, Vikram Solanki etc. Hussein went on to captain the England side later in his career. But this attempt denotes a good CHANGE from their perspective.

Acceptance on the part of the players to play for such countries is very important. In one of his statements issued in the media Khwaja says that he would never forget his roots i.e. Pakistan, but it has to be noted that it was Australia that gave him the major platform to do well and would never forget that. His maiden one day domestic hundred for New South Wales versus South Australia (121) showed a lot of commitment of this (Australian) cricketer.

The quality of viewing changes as an opportunity and not as a threat is defines the characteristic of an innovative person.

Going by this line, CA surely went that way which resulted into this budding player. It can be only hoped that he fulfils and cements his place in the Australian team in the times to come. The onus is now on Khwaja to deliver well and reciprocate the initiative.