Usman Qadir, once a consistent name in Pakistan's T20I squad, found his position compromised after inconsistent performances throughout 2022. Amidst the rise of Shadab Khan to vice-captaincy and the looming shadow of his father, the legendary Abdul Qadir, Usman's path back into the squad seemed obstructed. Fans, time and again, pointed fingers at his selection, some insinuating that his close ties with the Pakistan captain Babar Azam might be at play.
Now, after almost a year away from competitive cricket for Pakistan, Usman has openly addressed these rumors surrounding his and Babar's bond. The 30-year-old bowler confessed that the presumed favoritism due to their relationship added unnecessary strain on both him and Babar during the selection process. Usman emphasized their deep-rooted friendship since the U15 days and clarified that it was Misbah-ul-Haq, not Babar, who introduced him to the team.
Usman recounted in a conversation with Cricket Pakistan, “My relations with Babar have been strong from the U15 days. It's true I re-entered the team under Babar's captaincy, but it was Misbah bhai who selected me. I showcased my skills to him and presumably left an impression.”
He further elaborated, “When Babar took up the captaincy, he wasn’t handed his preferred team immediately. The chief selector finalizes the team. Why would Babar favor me? It's not his personal team but Pakistan's. If friendship determined my selection, my appearances for Pakistan would be much higher, maybe 50-60 matches.”
Arguing his case, he added, “Even if one argues that Babar vouched for me because of our friendship, I still need to deliver performances. He can't guarantee my success on the field.”
Reflecting on the implications of this perceived favoritism, Usman shared, “Being associated with Babar as a close friend did more damage than good. It burdened both of us with expectations. Look at Imam-ul-Haq. He's even closer to Babar, yet he performs consistently. Despite that, he faces criticism, mainly due to his family ties with the iconic Inzamam.”
Usman's heartfelt disclosure sheds light on the unwarranted pressure and speculation players often face, which can potentially overshadow their talents and contributions to the sport.
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