When the five-match One-Day International series between India and Australia got kicked off in Hyderabad, there were two teams at the different ends of the spectrum. India, who is being ranked as favorite to lift the World Cup, was against Australia, whose chances to defend their crown in England were being said quite dim.
India started the series on a high note and made early inroads to be 2-0 up in the series. But Australia made one of the most remarkable comebacks of the recent history and defeated India in the remaining three games. After conceding the Ranchi and Mohali ODI, India couldn’t stop the Australian force and lost the series in Delhi.
Also Read: Usman Khawaja reveals the secret of playing in India
Usman Khawaja was the main man behind Australia’s historic series win in India as he notched up 383 runs in five matches. He turned the fortune of Australia on his own head with a match-winning century in Ranchi followed by 91-run innings in Mohali. He took his purple patch further and scored his second century of the series in Delhi.
Khawaja, who won the man of the series, is not only gaining praises from Australia only but he is constantly receiving praise from across the border as well. The Islamabad-born Australia cricketer was among the talks after thrashing India in Ranchi, where Indian players played donning the camouflage caps in respect of Pulwama martyrs.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lashed at Indian cricket team and requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take action for this step.
Watch – Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliant catch sends back Usman Khawaja
However, Pakistan looked happy as a Pakistan born became a thorn in India’s flash. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director-general of Inter-Services Public Relations, especially praised Khawaja in a series of Tweets for his heroics in India.
Asif Ghafoor, since the third ODI, was of all praise for Pakistan-born Khawaja for his batting and came up with three tweets for as many matches. Also, in the latest of his tweets, he highlighted the words ‘STRIKE’ and ‘CAP’ to troll the Indian team. This might not go down well with the Indian fans and a war of words on social media can start now.
See the Tweets;
Well played #UsmanKhuaja pic.twitter.com/SAsl5H2vSV
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) March 8, 2019
Well played again #UsmanKhawaja https://t.co/jgAjzRXhqv
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) March 10, 2019
Very well played yet again #UsmanKhawaja
Your 100 at excellent STRIKE rate made the difference. You gave excellent performance during last three consecutive ODI contests to CAP the series. pic.twitter.com/r4f6V5ROn9— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) March 13, 2019
Australia will now travel to UAE, where they will play five-match One-Day International series against Pakistan, commencing from March 22.
