Usman Khawaja ‘surgical strike’ destroys India – Pakistan website mocks IAF

Usman Khawaja finally broke his jinx in ODIs with a magnificent century in the Ranchi ODI against the Indian cricket team. Khawaja became the second-oldest Australian player after Adam Voges to score a maiden century in this format. Khawaja’s century, along with Aaron Finch’s 93 helped Australia break their rut in ODIs as they secured a 32-run win at the JSCA stadium in Ranchi to stay alive in the five-match series. However, this was taken as an opportunity by one Pakistan news website to ‘mock’ India, the Indian Air Force and also Khawaja. The match report of thenews.com.pk took the entire story from AFP, but they used the headline ‘Pakistan-born Khawaja’s ‘surgical strike’ destroys India’. 

The headline ‘mocked’ the recent effort of the Indian Air Force which  had carried out an air strike in Balakot, located in Khyber-Pakhtunwa which targeted the camps of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit, the group that was responsible for the murder of 40 CRPF Jawans in Pulwama on February 14. 

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The headline also highlighted the ethnicity of Khawaja in a poor state. The left-hander was born in Islamabad but he migrated to Australia at a young age. In 2011, Khawaja made his debut in the Ashes Test against England in Sydney and since then, he has gone on to make an impact for Australia in all formats. 

The Pakistan website used Usman Khawaja's ethnicity in a poor taste.(Image credit: news.com.pk)

Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s 41st ODI century went in vain as Australia managed to register their first win in the five-match series at Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) with a tense 32-run win. 

India lost Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan and Ambati Rayudu cheaply to be reduced to 27/3. Kohli and Dhoni shared a 59-run stand but after breaking the record, Dhoni was bowled by Adam Zampa for 26. Kohli shared an 88-run stand for the fifth wicket with Kedar Jadhav (26) and Kohli notched up a record century in a chase. 

Vijay Shankar batted aggressively but India lost wickets at regular intervals to lose the match by 32 runs and keep the series alive heading into the fourth game in Mohali. Dhoni has been rested for the last two ODIs.

HIGHLIGHTS

• India lost the Ranchi ODI by 32 runs against Australia.
• Virat Kohli smashed his 41st century.
• Usman Khawaja slammed his maiden century.