Sydney, Aug 11: The son of Pakistani great Abdul Qadir, Usman is working hard to emulate his father and perform well for his team in the under-19 World Cup in Australia.
Usman has absorbed the tricks of spin from his famous father and copied his extravagant action, but knows very well what it would take to actually be like him.
Usman takes the field today for Pakistan in its Under-19 World Cup opener against Afghanistan at John Blanck Oval, Buderim, carrying the weight of expectation that comes with bearing a famous name.
“He is my hero, too. I am trying to copy him, but I can''t do it because he is a legend. But still I try my level best,” said Qadir, a budding leg-spinner in his father''s image who has spent many hours glued to videos of his bowling.
“The other guys, when they are starting cricket, they watch my father, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, all the leg-spinner legends in the world, watching videos, but my idol is my father. He spend a lot of time with me, teaching more deliveries,” he said.
The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him as saying that it was a very awesome thing to play against Australia in the final of the previous youth World Cup in 2009-10, even if he felt like crying when the Australians lifted the trophy at the end of it.
Australia begins its title defence against England in Townsville today.
Usman, like his father, intends to play club cricket in Australia and is making plans to head to Adelaide after the tournament.
© ANI
