Ricky Ponting's injury in 2011 had opened the doors for the first Muslim cricketer to represent Australia in the highest level. With a crafty and sound technique, Khawaja made it to the U-19 squad for the 2006 World Cup and since then, he has only impressed. Khawaja burst onto the scene when he received his maiden call up in 2011 in the Ashes against England. He has hit 14 centuries in Test cricket since then, making him a regular in the playing XI. However, 2013 was a dry spell for the batsman as he didn't conjure up runs in the Ashes, followed by a poor outing against New Zealand. He received an ODI call up the same year, but his poor form followed suit. However, he picked up the speed in his years with Queensland and the runs came pouring. Khawaja had an excellent season in the Big Bash League, striking a few tons and leading the Sydney Strikers to win the title that season. An interesting fact to be noted as well, besides being a professional cricketer, he is also a qualified pilot.
Read MoreIt was a day that belonged to Australia with India getting all out for 185 but the visitors aren't completely out the game with the greenish surface in Sydney assisting the pace bowlers and Jasprit Bumrah was able to end the day on a high for his side with a wicket off the final ball.
Mohammed Siraj is going through a lean patch in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. Though the right-arm speedster has claimed 14 wickets in the series, he has looked like a pale shadow of his vintage self.
"I was walking the other way and just as I turned around, I saw them collide. I was like, 'What's going on here?' Sammy was going, he was on fire, and his beans were obviously going. I just came to diffuse the situation," Khawaja said.
Usman Khawaja scored 21 off 54 balls before Jasprit Bumrah nicked him off and the wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant safely pouched the faint edge. Bumrah has dismissed Khawaja thrice in the ongoing series.
India have scripted a memorable comeback in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth thanks to their skipper Jasprit Bumrah. He has run riot with the new ball picking up three wickets including that of Steve Smith who bagged his first golden duck in 10 years.
Nathan McSweeney is highly likely to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the Australian batting order in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. McSweeney plays his domestic cricket for South Australia.
Two forgettable outings against India A during the first Unofficial Test have reduced Sam Konstas' chances of partnering Usman Khawaja at the top of the order for Australia against India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"Regarding our bilateral matches, we have consulted extensively with stakeholders, including the Australian government, and chose to postpone our last couple of series with the Afghanistan Cricket Board on human-rights grounds," Cricket Australia's CEO said.
Australia have pulled out of bilateral series against Afghanistan multiple times citing 'violation of human rights' in the latter country as the reason. But they face Afghanistan in the ICC events and Khawaja reckons Cricket Australia's stance is hypocritical.
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell had a forgettable IPL season for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), scoring just 52 runs in 10 matches. However, the senior Australian opener Usman Khawaja has backed him to return to his best in the T20 World Cup saying that IPL form won't be relevant.
Usman Khawaja scored 33 runs off 118 balls during his stay at the crease and smashed three fours and a maximum. Khawaja aggregated 61 runs for the opening wicket alongside his new partner Steven Smith.
West Indies are 35 runs ahead after an enthralling day of Test cricket as Australia made a sensational comeback after being reduced to 54/5. It was a day that belonged to the Windies and debutant Kevin Sinclair who scored a fifty and then got to show off his traditional 'cartwheel' celebration.
Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja was named the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year. Khawaja, who was the leading run-getter in Tests in 2023, leapfrogged the likes of R Ashwin, Travis Head and Joe Root to win the coveted award.
Usman Khawaja was hit on the head at the fag end of the Adelaide Test by Shamar Joseph. With only one run needed for victory, the left-handed opener had to retire hurt and was doubtful for the second Test. But the man has cleared all the protocols and will now play the day-night Test.
Usman Khawaja was struck on the helmet by a short delivery from debutant Shamar Joseph when the Australian team needed just one run to seal the first game of the series.
The veteran Australian batter continues his efforts to support humanitarian causes as he displayed dove and olive symbols during Brisbane Heat's Big Bash League game against Perth Scorchers at Brisbane Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Usman Khawaja was the leading run-getter in Test cricket in 2023. He aggregated 1210 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 52.60 with the help of three centuries and six half-centuries.
Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja has found himself at loggerheads with the ICC over use of his expression through shoes, armband or a sticker and the cricket council hasn't allowed either of them. After skipper Pat Cummins, Khawaja has found support from other former and current cricketers.
Usman Khawaja was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he wore a black armband during the first Test of the Australian summer against Pakistan in Perth.
"Personal messages of this nature are not allowed as per Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations, which can be found on the ICC Playing Conditions page. The ICC is supportive of players using their platforms outside of the playing arena to promote human rights," an ICC spokesperson said.
Top News
Trending News
Latest News