Khawaja holds no grudges against Arthur over `homeworkgate`

Karachi [Pakistan], Dec. 13 (ANI): Australian batsman Usman Khawaja has insisted that he holds no grudges with current Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur over the so-called "homeworkgate" affair ahead of the upcoming three-match series between the two sides beginning on December 15 at the Gabba. The 29-year-old was one of four players who were handed a one-Test match ban after failing to complete a written task given by Arthur, who was the Australia coach during a disastrous tour of India in 2013. Arthur was eventually sacked by Cricket Australia ahead of the 2013 Ashes series and was replaced by Darren Lehmann. Talking about the incident, Khawaja said he is not the kind of a person who holds any grudges with anyone and, therefore, he is sure of facing no issue when he would meet Arthur. "I'm not spiteful or vengeful in that sort of respect. Mickey is a very good guy. I'm not the kind of guy who holds on to grudges. If I get into a fight or I get angry with someone I'm over it (quickly), usually anyway. I'm sure if I see Mickey there'll be no issues, it'll be fine, everything will be good," the Dawn quoted Khawaja as saying. Khawaja, who left Pakistan before turning five and became the first Muslim player to represent Australia, said that although the country of his birth is a big part of his life, he is `very Australian` by the way he act. "If I broke it down, the way I act and what I do is very Australian, but there's always parts of me - when I talk to my parents I try to speak Urdu with them here and there. It's not as good as them but they understand what's going on so it is a big part of my life when I'm with my parents and around my parents," Khawaja said. Khawaja will head into the series in prime form, having declared man-of-the-match for his brilliant 145-run knock in the first innings of the Australia's seven-wicket win over South Africa in the day-night Test in Adelaide.(ANI)