Ashes 2023: The talented Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja earned the title of hero by defeating the difficult “BazBall” task on Day 2 of the game. Nevertheless, during the post-play news conference, his three-year-old daughter Aisha stole the show.
Khawaja explained to the media that Aisha didn’t want to be taken away from him as he took a seat holding her in his arms. Aisha asked if her younger sister Ayla, who was born in May 2022, was okay. She expressed worry by saying, “Daddy, baby Ayla’s not here!” She was soothed by Khawaja when he said, “Yeah, she’s not here; baby Ayla is with Mama. But don’t worry, we’re coming back soon. Two minutes only.
And there was a moment where he had to stop the press conference, put on his ‘dad hat’, and caution his daughter against swiping through the camera on one of the many phones in front of him recording the audio, telling her “you can play on Daddy’s phone later”.
It was a nice moment, capping off a day where he starred with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 126 as Australia fought back against England at Edgbaston.
Ashes 1st Test Day 2: Usman Khawaja’s 1st Test Ton in England Revives Australia After Rough Start
At Edgbaston, Usman Khawaja’s brilliant hundred was the highlight of the second day of the first Ashes Test as Australia reached 311 for 5 at the close of play. Although they are still 82 runs short of England’s 393 total, the Australians’ job no longer appears to be insurmountable thanks to the 90-plus run unbroken combination between Khawaja and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey.
Following Khawaja’s undefeated 126, which turned around Australia’s fortunes, the gap was reduced to 82 runs. In a partnership totaling 91 runs, wicketkeeper Alex Carey scored 52 runs while without getting out.
Stuart Broad struck twice in one over shortly after play on Saturday began, and Khawaja took over to lead the Australian innings. Khawaja and David Warner, the opening pair, were kept at bay by the Englishmen’s three consecutive maiden overs. Then, in the eleventh over, Broad shocked the Australians by taking Warner and Marnus Labuschagne for consecutive wickets, giving the home team the advantage.
When Cameron Green rushed at a sharply spinning Moeen toss on a second-ball nought, Australia’s score of 148-4 should have increased to 148-5, but Bairstow missed a golden chance to stump Green. After Green and Khawaja had combined for 72 runs before Moeen ultimately bowled Green for 38, the all-rounder.
Watch Khawaja’s special celebration after first Ashes ton
In a remarkable display of skill and determination to achieve a perfect Ashes ton, Usman Khawaja achieved a historic milestone on Saturday by scoring his first century on English soil in Test cricket. This feat required extraordinary talent and tenacity. Khawaja scored his 15th century in the game’s longest format while bearing the burden of the Australian innings on his shoulders. The Englishmen were stunned by his explosive celebration, though.
Khawaja made a spectacular entrance after busting a huge ton. When Joe Root threw a back-of-a-length delivery in the 69th over, Khawaja expertly directed the ball towards the third man boundary to clinch his century with a flourish.
Khawaja let out a huge yell of ecstasy as the ball careened towards the boundary, radiating his utter satisfaction and exhilaration. He sprang into the air in a spectacular display of joy, tossing his bat into the air and mouthing words of jubilation. He then took off his helmet and lifted both of his hands, looking towards the Australian team’s locker room and thanking his teammates.
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