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Usman Tariq Khawaja is one of the most prominent cricketers to have represented Australia in recent years, known for his elegant batting style and poise at the crease. As the first Muslim and first Pakistani-born Australian player to play Test cricket for Australia, he has carved a place for himself in cricket history. Born on 18 December 1986 in Islamabad, Pakistan, Khawaja moved to New South Wales, Australia when he was just four years old. With impressive performances from an early age, he made his debut for the Australian national team in January 2011 and has since established himself as a crucial member of the squad.
Usman Khawaja was born into a family with strong connections to cricket and played cricket from an early age. His parents Tariq Khawaja and Fozia Tariq both played cricket themselves before moving to Australia, where they encouraged their son's love for the sport. After moving to New South Wales as a child, Khawaja honed his skills at Valley District Cricket Club before making it to the Australian under-19 squad for the 2006 World Cup.
Khawaja's early years were not without challenges; as a Muslim of Pakistani descent growing up in Australia, he faced discrimination and had to work hard to overcome the stereotypes placed upon him by society. However, his passion for cricket never wavered, and he continued to work tirelessly on his game.
Khawaja's rise to prominence began with his domestic career playing for New South Wales in 2008. He impressed selectors with some standout performances and was soon selected for the Australian team in January 2011 after Ricky Ponting suffered an injury.
After mixed results in Sri Lanka and South Africa that same year, Khawaja made his Test debut during the Ashes in Sydney in 2011. He struggled to find consistency and was subsequently dropped. However, he continued to work hard on his game and made a strong comeback in the 2015-16 season, scoring a century in his return game for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL).
With Steve Smith and David Warner banned due to their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal, Khawaja took on the responsibility of being Australia's premier batsman in Tests and performed exceptionally well. He played a match-saving knock in the UAE and had a successful limited-overs tour of India in 2019.
Khawaja has shown himself to be a highly skilled left-handed top-order batsman with an impressive backlift that comes down on the ball like butter on bread. His favourite shots include cut and pull shots, which he executes with precision.
He has played for multiple domestic teams, including New South Wales, Queensland, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Sydney Thunder in BBL from 2011 to February 2022, Islamabad United in PSL 2021, and Valley District Cricket Club in Brisbane.
Khawaja's Test career gained momentum after his debut series struggles; he became a permanent member of the Australian Test team except for when he was dropped for the tour to India. With notable performances against significant rivals such as England and South Africa under his belt, Khawaja has established himself as one of Australia's most reliable players. Khawaja completed his 4864 Test runs and scored his career-best innings of 195 runs against South Africa.
Usman Khawaja has impressed in various tournaments, including the World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy. His performance in the 2019 Cricket World Cup played a significant role in Australia's success in the tournament. He amassed 316 runs from nine innings at an average of 35.11 with two half-centuries.
In addition to his impressive contributions to the World Cup, Khawaja’s performances in other major tournaments have been noteworthy. He has performed well against significant opponents such as India and Pakistan.
Khawaja has also shown his skills on the T20 stage. He played for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL) from 2011 to February 2022 and was a crucial part of their BBL win in 2015-16.
Furthermore, Khawaja has taken part in various international leagues such as Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL). In the IPL, he represented Rising Pune Supergiants.
One of his most notable performances was while playing for Derbyshire County Cricket Club in England's domestic season where he scored a magnificent century against Northamptonshire.
Usman Khawaja is an elegant left-handed top-order batsman who has proved himself to be one of Australia's best Test cricketers over the years. His technique is impressive, particularly when playing cut and pull shots off fast bowlers with relative ease.
Khawaja is known for his tactical awareness and adaptability to different game situations while playing his role as a top-order batsman. He is an excellent player of spin bowling and has played significant innings against quality spinners in different conditions. Khawaja’s on-field presence brings stability to the team, and his contributions to Australian cricket have been immense over the years.
Usman Khawaja is known for his calm and composed demeanour both on and off the field. He leads by example and has an excellent work ethic, which is evident through his performances on the cricket field.
Outside of cricket, Khawaja holds a bachelor's degree in aviation from the University of New South Wales, making him one of the few cricketers to have completed their education while pursuing their passion for cricket.Khawaja is also a qualified commercial and instrument-rated pilot who enjoys sharing pictures of his flying adventures on social media platforms.
He has been appointed as captain of the Queensland cricket team since August 2015. This shows that he possesses leadership qualities that are appreciated by his teammates as well as management.
Usman Khawaja has been a trailblazer, breaking barriers as the first Australian cricketer of Pakistani origin to represent his country. His impact on the sport extends beyond his accomplishments on the field. Khawaja's success as an immigrant athlete in a sport traditionally dominated by Australians has been an inspiration to many aspiring cricketers.
Khawaja's elegant batting style and poise at the crease have made him a role model for young batsmen around the world. His influence can be seen in the playing styles of other cricketers who have adopted his backlift and technique. Despite facing setbacks early in his career, he persevered, working hard to become a top-order batsman for Australia.
The left-handed batsman has etched his name in cricket history books with some extraordinary records and performances. He scored 1,608 runs in the 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship- only behind Rohit Sharma- to help Australia win the tournament. Moreover, he is also among the highest run-scorers for Australia in Test cricket.
Usman Khawaja has been recognised for his contribution to Australian cricket on multiple occasions. He was appointed captain of Queensland's domestic team in August 2015, leading them to victory over New South Wales in the Matador Cup final later that year.
At the Allan Border Medal ceremony held annually to honour Australia's best cricketers of the year, Khawaja was awarded The Shane Warne Test Player of The Year award along with The Community Impact Award in 2023.
His achievements go far beyond domestic cricket though; he played a key role in helping Australia win their first-ever ICC World Test Championship title under Tim Paine's captaincy.
Usman Khawaja's journey from a young immigrant to a top-order batsman for Australia has been nothing short of inspiring. He has broken barriers and set new standards for immigrants in Australian cricket, paving the way for future generations.
Khawaja's elegant batting style and poise at the crease have made him a role model for young batsmen around the world. His contributions to Australian cricket have been recognised with numerous awards and accolades, including The Shane Warne Test Player of The Year Award and The Community Impact Award.
As he continues to play an active role in the national team, Usman Khawaja remains a symbol of hope for aspiring athletes all over the world who hope to make their mark in their chosen sport.
FAQs
How many runs has Usman Khawaja scored in the Test cricket format?
Usman Khawaja has scored 4864 runs in the Test cricket format.
What is Usman Khawaja's highest score in ODI cricket?
Usman Khawaja's highest score in ODI cricket is 104.
What is Usman Khawaja's strike rate in T20Is?
Usman Khawaja's strike rate in T20Is is 132.41.
How many centuries has Usman Khawaja scored in Test cricket?
Usman Khawaja has scored 15 centuries in Test cricket.
When did Usman Khawaja debut in ODI cricket?
Usman Khawaja debuted in ODI cricket on January 11, 2013, in Melbourne against Sri Lanka.
