Brisbane Heat sign Usman Khawaja on a four-year contract

Australian batter Usman Khawaja signed for the Big Bash League team Brisbane Heat on a four-year contract. He was earlier with Sydney Thunder in the competition and was their highest run-scorer. Khawaja, after the signing, said that he was excited to be “ headed home” on June 29, Wednesday. 

The Australia left-hander earlier expressed that he always thought he would finish as a Thunder player. He also called Brisbane and Queensland his “home”. He added that although he loves Thunder, the change has come at the right time. “I always thought I would finish off as a Thunder player, but it is funny how things change,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by Brisbane Heat.

“I’ve said it for a long time, that Brisbane is home, Queensland is home, and to be here, captain of Queensland, and now joining the Heat – it is really exciting,” said Khawaja. 

It wasn’t an easy decision, but the timing just feels right: Usman Khawaja

“I know I will be playing in front of my family, and a home crowd, when I am at the Gabba or Metricon Stadium with the Heat. I love the Thunder and the Thunder Nation, but at the same time, this is a change that comes at the right time,” said Khawaja.

The 35-year-old was at Thunder from the 2011-12 season to the 2021-22 season and has been with Queensland since the 2012-13 season. “It wasn’t an easy decision, it was a very tough one, but the timing just feels right. I like to say I used to be an honorary Queensland and now I am one,” added the left-hand batter.

After signing for his new Big Bash League team, he wrote on social media that Brisbane and Queensland mean a lot to him and that he was looking forward to working towards “something special and having a bit of fun along the way.”

Khawaja is currently in action for the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle International Stadium, Galle, which began on Wednesday. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first and he is expected to open the batting with David Warner.