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Australian opener Usman Khawaja continued his golden run with the bat, hitting a sensational century on Day 4 of the ongoing third Test against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
It was Khawaja’s second hundred of the series, the fourth century of the calendar year, and 12th Test ton overall. The left-handed batter, who missed out on scoring a triple-figure by nine runs only, stayed unbeaten on 104 during Australia’s second innings.
By scoring yet another century, Khawaja finished the ongoing series with a whopping 496 runs at a mind-boggling average of 165.33. Further, the Queenslander also became the first Australian since Steve Smith and David Warner (in 2017) to score four Test hundreds in a calendar year.
Khawaja added crucial partnerships of 96 and 64 runs with Warner (51) and Marnus Labuschagne (36), respectively, to take Australia to a commanding position. Riding on Khawaja’s stunning effort with the bat, the visitors declared their second innings at 227/3, setting up the target of 351 runs for the hosts.
In reply, Pakistan have managed to reach 73 without a loss at stumps, with openers Abdullah Shafique (27 no) and Imam-ul-Haq (42 no) unbeaten at the crease.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Simply brilliant AGAIN @Uz_Khawaja 💯
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) March 24, 2022
Usman Khawaja the first Australian to make four Test 💯s in a calendar year since Steve Smith & David Warner in 2017.
(Polite reminder: we’re still in March)#PAKvAUS
— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) March 24, 2022
Usman Khawaja's comeback has been one of the cricket stories of the year so far – aged 35, four centuries, two 90s and an average of 125 in 5 Tests since his recall.
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) March 24, 2022
Usman Khawaja is absolutely sensational. Another century for the comeback kid. 🔥 #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/cuP60lEs43
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 24, 2022
Usman Khawaja in the current series:
Innings 5
Runs 496
Average 165.33
Hundreds 2
Fifties 2#PAKvsAUS #Cricket— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) March 24, 2022
Imagine not loving Usman Khawaja. Actually, don’t even bother trying to imagine it, it’s not possible #AUSvsPAK
— Megan Maurice (@meganmaurice) March 24, 2022
Quite staggering how Usman Khawaja found himself outside the Test side for so long.
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) March 24, 2022
This is Usman Khawaja's fourth Test century in nine innings since his recall in Sydney. His previous four tons came in 44 innings. #PAKvAUS
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) March 24, 2022
Usman Khawaja. Take a bow.
Such a determined athlete who is so at one with where he is in life right now. Brilliant to see him absolutely thriving at Test level. #PAKvAUS
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) March 24, 2022
This has been a marvellous series for @Uz_Khawaja. His batting has meant that Pakistan at no point in this series has managed to take control of any Test
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) March 24, 2022
Usman Khawaja finishes the series with 496 runs at 165.33. Only Mark Taylor in 1998 has made more for Aust in a series in Pakistan #PAKvAUS
— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) March 24, 2022
