12 Facts about Usman Khawaja - Australia's Rising Star

Usman Khawaja is a Pakistani-born Australian cricketer. He is a top order left handed batsman. Khawaja’s poise, technique and temperament were anticipated as signs of him becoming one of the future stars for Australia. Initially, he was not consistent and found himself in and out of the side. He has been in the reckoning for a long time and finally reached his prime in 2015, justifying all the expectations people had on him.

1. Birth:

Usman Khawaja was born on 8th December 1986 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

2. Early life:

His family immigrated to New South Wales, Australia from Islamabad when Khawaja was a child.

3. Education:

Usman is an ex-student of Westfields Sports School, which has also produced sportsmen of the caliber of Michael Clarke (former captain of the Australian cricket team), soccer player Harry Kewell and world champion discus thrower Dani Samuels.

4. Young promising talent:

Khawaja was awarded Player of the Australian Under-19 Championship in 2005 and also played for Australia in the 2006 U-19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka as an opening batsman.

5. First-class debut:

He made his first-class debut for the New South Wales Blues in 2008. In the same year, he hit consecutive double centuries for the NSW Second XI—a feat never before achieved by a NSW player

6. Test debut:

Usman Khawaja made his Test debut in the 5th and final Ashes Test at Sydney in 2011 as a replacement for the injured Ricky Ponting. It was not a memorable outing with the bat as he managed only 37 and 21 runs in the match.

7. Historic significance of his baggy green:

Usman Khawaja became the 419th Australian to earn the baggy green. This made him the first Muslim cricketer to represent Australia and only the seventh foreign-born cricketer in the last 80 years.

8. Initial struggle and come back:

Khawaja got opportunities from 2011 to 2013 but couldn’t secure a permanent place. He was dropped from the 2013 Ashes. But, made a successful return to the team in 2015 for the Test series against New Zealand. However, he suffered a setback after sustaining a hamstring injury mid-series. As reported, he seems to have recovered from the injury and is set to make a comeback in the team.

9. The qualified fly-boy:

He is a qualified commercial and instrument rated pilot, completing a bachelor’s degree in Aviation from the University of New South Wales before he made his Test debut. He attained his basic pilot licence before his driving licence.

10. Hobbies:

Usman Khawaja is an avid music lover and a guitarist. He also happens to be a movie buff. He is also associated with Golf and is the ambassador of the Brisbane Golf Club.

11. Current teams:

He plays for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League since 2011. In 2012, he shifted to Queensland from New South Wales.

12. Leadership opportunity:

Leadership opportunity came his way when he was named as the skipper of the Australia A side during India’s tour to Australia. Later, Khawaja was named as the captain of Queensland for the 2015-16 season.