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Usman Khawaja has led Queensland to a famous fourth innings win over Tasmania with a stunning century as the Bulls captain led the side to three-wicket win.
Chasing 309 to win, Queensland were led by international stars Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne as the side dragged in the total.
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Khawaja, who famously batted for almost nine hours to help Australia hang on for a draw against Pakistan in Dubai in 2018, reminded the world of what he could do.
While he didn’t have to face as many balls as he did against Pakistan, his 115 not out off 206 balls was essential for Queensland to fight out the victory as he held firm and carried the side home.
Khawaja, showed he was in a good place with a stirring mid-game speech winning hearts during what was a tough BBL series where he scored 338 runs at 24.14.
Khawaja has been out of the Test reckoning since the 2019 Ashes and said post-match that he just had to ground out the win.
“After lunch they came out and just bowled absolutely beautifully, for about an hour-and-a-half, and me and Marny, we just couldn’t get anywhere,” the Bulls skipper said post-match. “We thought if we grinded it out … that was the toughest part of the innings, (Jackson) Bird was bowling beautifully – all the Tasmanian bowlers were bowling really well.
“We got through that and then everything clicked into gear. It was a pretty nice wicket once you got used to conditions (but) it was a hard wicket to start up on, there were a lot of guys coming in and getting out early.
“I was just looking at how many we were chasing, you’d see it come down – 250, 200, 150, 100 – I was sort of just counting down. I try not to look at the scoreboard too much, especially my own score, but it’s hard not to look at the runs you’re about to chase.”
Khawaja came to the crease at 2/53 and piled on a 137-run stand with Labuschagne who scored 78 off 151 balls.
But the Australian first drop was left fuming after being adjudged caught behind off Beau Webster.
Labuschagne turned sharply towards leg stump after the ball went past his bat but was stunned as the umpire gave him out.
Khawaja kept going however, bringing up the milestone with his side still needing 55 runs to win.
Jack Wildemuth smashed a quick 23-ball 30, making it easier for Khawaja as Queensland came back for the win.
The result sees the Bulls stay on top of the ladder with NSW in second despite a loss to Victoria on Friday.
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