KARACHI: Pakistan T20I batsman Usman Khan has opened up about the setbacks he faced after being dropped from the national side, reflecting on criticism, self-doubt and his work to make a comeback at the highest level.
During a recent interview with a local YouTube site, the wicketkeeper-batsman discussed the difficult phase of his career when questions were raised about his place in international cricket and his future prospects.
“When I was dropped from the Pakistan team, people told me that I would never come back and that I had already been given enough chances so I should go back to the UAE,” Usman said.
During that period he acknowledged his own shortcomings, insisting that he chose to accept responsibility rather than blame external factors.
“But Pakistan gave me enough opportunities and I would tell people that it was my fault. It was my fault that I couldn’t perform. Then I hired a personal trainer and improved my diet and fitness,” he added.
Usman made his international debut for Pakistan on 18 April 2024 during a domestic series against New Zealand.
However, his early career was also marked by controversy after he was banned by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for breach of duty and misrepresenting his intention to represent the UAE, which restricted his participation in ECB-sanctioned events.
Despite the setback, he rebuilt his career after participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine as an overseas player and is now considered a local player.
His performance in the tournament was outstanding, where he became the first batsman to score two centuries in the same edition. Following that breakout season, he was again considered for the national selection and later attended a training camp in Abbottabad, Kakul.
Usman has represented Pakistan in 38 T20Is, scoring 474 runs at a strike-rate of 121.85, including two fifties. He has scored 51 runs in two ODIs.
Currently, he is part of PSL 11 debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen and is set to feature in the Eliminator 1 clash against Multan Sultans on Wednesday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.