Former Primrose Cricket Club leg-spinner Usman Qadir is determined to play for Australia.
Earlier this month, Qadir was contracted by the Perth Scorchers for the Big Bash League later this year. He has since debuted for Western Australia – and is eager to follow the footsteps of fellow leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed.
Ahmed, too, was born in Pakistan – and played three ODIs and two T20Is for Australia in 2013.
“When I saw Fawad, the government changed the law for him. I am going to apply for a distinguished talent visa and before that I’ve got permanent residency and hopefully I will get citizenship as well in two years’ time,” said Qadir.
“My goal is to play for Australia in the 2020 World Twenty20. Hopefully, definitely I will be eligible. If I’m performing well, hopefully they give me an opportunity to play Sheffield Shield cricket as well. I want to play in Australia and make my future.”
Qadir gathered several telling performances for the Kenilworth-based Primrose Cricket Club during the 2015-16 Western Province Cricket Association season, including match hauls of nine for 95 against United Cricket Club, eight for 149 against Cape Town Cricket Club and six for 66 against Victoria Cricket Club.
The 25-year-old is the son of former Test and ODI leg-spinner Abdul Qadir – and played in two Under-19 World Cups.