Usman Khawaja Archives

David Warner, Usman Khawaja among players registered for PSL 11 auction

Retired Australian batting greats David Warner and Usman Khawaja are among the biggest names to have registered for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 player auction, set to take place on February 11, 2026.

A total of 879 overseas cricketers from 24 countries have signed up for the league’s first-ever auction.

Australia leads the list with 60 registered players, including Warner and Khawaja alongside Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Jake Fraser-McGurk, William Sutherland, Moises Henriques, Jason Behrendorff, and Tanveer Sangha.

PSL 11 represents a significant transformation in the tournament’s player recruitment system, as the traditional draft format has been replaced by a full-scale auction for the first time since the league’s inception.

Each franchise has been allocated a purse of PKR 450 million for squad building, with an additional PKR 55 million reserved for direct signings under the new model.

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All participating teams, including the two newly-added franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz, have already confirmed their retentions ahead of the auction.

Most franchises have also announced their direct signings, with Quetta Gladiators being the only side yet to reveal theirs.

Meanwhile, Multan Sultans remain in a unique position heading into the auction. The franchise, currently without an owner, will enter the bidding process with a full purse after retaining no players and making no direct signings.

Notably, the Multan franchise is scheduled to be sold through a separate auction in Lahore on February 9, just two days before the PSL 11 player auction.

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Usman Khawaja backs Usman Tariq amid “chucking” controversy

Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has come out in support of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq following a controversial incident during the second T20I against Australia.

During the game, Australian batter Cameron Green was seen making a gesture widely interpreted as questioning Tariq’s bowling action.

The incident occurred after Green, who had been looking in control at the crease, was dismissed for 35 runs off Tariq’s delivery, caught by Shadab Khan.

Broadcast cameras captured Green making a gesture that many fans and analysts took as implying an illegal action, or “chucking.”

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This is not the first time Tariq’s bowling has been scrutinised. The spinner was reported during PSL 9 and 10, but his action was officially cleared on both occasions.

While Green has not publicly addressed the gesture, Khawaja, who played alongside him for Australia, expressed his support for Tariq on Instagram, sharing the views of cricket journalist Paul Dennett.

“There aren’t many things worse than being called a ‘chucker’ in cricket,” Usman Khawaja wrote.

“The stigma is real. The man is just doing his best and has been cleared twice. Let’s have some perspective and understanding and stop jumping to conclusions.”

Usman Tariq has previously explained that the natural bend in his elbows can create confusion for spectators.

“There are two corners on my elbow that make it hard for me to straighten,” he said in an interview last year.

“I gave two tests at labs in Pakistan, and my action was cleared within a week. I didn’t get told to change anything. I was confident because I knew I was not throwing.”

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Khajawa lavishes praise on Zaman after final-over heroics

Brisbane Heat captain Usman Khawaja has lavished high praise on pacer Zaman Khan for delivering an impactful final over to seal a victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Set a stiff 161, the Hurricanes fell short in the final over, scoring only 157-8 at the end of their innings.

With this win, Heat secured two vital points to stay in contention of advancing through the final round.

Zaman, who came in as a replacement for injured Shaheen Afridi, made an impact with the ball, defending six in the final over to seal a come-from-behind win.

The 24-year-old started the over with a dot and a single, which was followed by two consecutive dot balls, leaving the Hurricanes needing four to win from the final delivery.

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With the crowd on its feet, Zaman held his nerve and got rid of Nikhil Chaudhary (16), who holed out to long on, resulting in an emphatic win for Heat against table toppers Hobart Hurricanes.

Speaking after the match, Khawaja praised the bowler for his outstanding bowling.

“He bowls a good yorker,” he said.

When asked whether he missed Shaheen Afridi, Khawaja said that he is happy with the replacement.

“Zaman Khan bowled really well, and Shaheen is a world-class bowler. His replacement is also very good,” said Khawaja.

For the unversed, Shaheen Afridi was ruled out of BBL 15 due to a knee sustained during the Heat’s fixture against Adelaide Strikers on 27 December.

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Usman Khawaja shines on BBL return as Heat cruise past Thunder

BRISBANE: Recently retired Usman Khawaja marked his return to the Big Bash League (BBL) in style, producing a commanding knock to lead Brisbane Heat to a dominant victory over bottom-placed Sydney Thunder at The Gabba on Saturday.

The win kept the Heat firmly in the playoff hunt. Starting the day seventh on the BBL 15 points table, the home side climbed to fifth with the crucial result, while Thunder’s miserable campaign continued as they remained rooted to the bottom.

Thunder captain David Warner won the toss and opted to bat, becoming the first skipper to do so this season. He justified the decision with a fluent innings at the top, even as his side lost early wickets and slipped to 49-2 inside seven overs.

Warner found solid support in Sam Billings, with the pair adding 84 runs from 50 balls for the third wicket.

Warner dominated the stand with aggressive stroke play before his innings ended via a run-out. He top-scored for Thunder with 82 off 56 balls, laced with eight fours and three sixes.

Billings followed soon after, scoring 34 off 26, while Nic Maddinson added a quick 21 off 14.

However, Thunder failed to capitalise in the latter stages and were restricted to 180-6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Matt Renshaw picked up two wickets for Heat, with Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann and Thomas Balington claiming one apiece.

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In reply, Brisbane Heat came out firing as Jack Wildermuth and captain Usman Khawaja smashed 57 runs in just 23 balls to give the chase early momentum.

Daniel Sams broke the opening stand by dismissing Wildermuth, who hammered 39 off 15 deliveries, including three sixes and four fours.

Nathan McSweeney made a brief stay, scoring 12 off 10, before Khawaja combined with Renshaw to put the result beyond doubt. The duo added 93 runs from 56 balls for the third wicket in a decisive partnership.

Khawaja fell with only five runs required, denied a match-winning finish, but he had already done the damage with a superb 78 off 48 balls, featuring ten boundaries, seven fours and three sixes.

Renshaw remained unbeaten on 42 off 26, while Max Bryant sealed the win in emphatic fashion by smashing the first ball he faced for a six, as Heat crossed the line with 22 balls to spare.

For Thunder, Wes Agar, Daniel Sams and Chris Green picked up one wicket each, but the bowlers were unable to halt Heat’s charge on the night.

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WATCH: Usman Khawaja performs ‘sujud’ in farewell Test

SYDNEY: Usman Khawaja, Australia’s first Muslim and Pakistan-born Test cricketer, brought down the curtain on his international career with a ‘sujud’ at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday during the fifth Ashes Test against England.

Khawaja’s final innings, though brief, was a deeply emotional moment for fans and family alike.

Opening with a graceful flick for four off Will Jacks, his fairytale ending was cut short when he chopped on to Josh Tongue, finishing with 17 runs.

Despite the early dismissal, the retiring opener received a standing ovation as he walked off the field, culminating in a touching gesture.

Usman Khawaja knelt, kissed the turf, and offered his farewell to the ground that had witnessed much of his cricketing journey.

The moment resonated beyond the boundary ropes as Khawaja’s wife, Rachel, was seen shedding tears in the stands.

Reflecting on his final innings, Khawaja shared, “A little bit of annoyance because I chopped on. You don’t always get the fairy tale ending where you score the runs, and I kind of like that in some respect.”

“When it happened, I got over it after a few seconds. I looked over and saw Rachel. My family was up there, I gave them kisses and all my love.”

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He added, “Without her, I wouldn’t be here today. She’s been my biggest support over the years, mental, emotional, everything. She’s the only one I really open up to. And coming out here at the end, that was my final way to say thank you.”

Usman Khawaja concludes his Test career with 6,229 runs at an average of 43.25, placing him 14th on Australia’s all-time run-scorers list.

Across 88 Tests, he amassed 16 centuries while also representing Australia in 40 ODIs and nine T20 internationals.

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Usman Khawaja speaks out on ‘racial stereotyping’ ahead of final Test

SYDNEY: Australian opener Usman Khawaja has spoken candidly about the “racial stereotyping” he says followed him throughout his 15-year international career, as he announced his impending retirement from Test cricket.

Khawaja revealed on Friday, during a press conference, that the upcoming fifth Ashes Test in Sydney will be his final appearance in Australian colours.

The 39-year-old used the occasion to reflect on the challenges he faced as Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer and one of the few players of South Asian heritage to represent the country at the highest level.

“I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. “I hope I have inspired people along the way.”

Born in Islamabad and raised in Australia from a young age, Khawaja said he was once told he would never represent Australia, let alone enjoy a long Test career.

“I’m a proud Muslim, coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for the Australian cricket team,” he said. “Look at me now, and you can do the same.”

Usman Khawaja acknowledged that his willingness to speak out on social and political issues had often made him a target of criticism, but insisted that remaining silent was never an option.

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“I call myself the people’s champ, not because I think everyone loves me, but because I speak about things for the people that other people don’t want to speak about,” he said.

He also addressed the backlash he has faced when raising concerns about race, suggesting that discussions around discrimination are frequently dismissed or trivialised.

“I know why I get nailed a lot of the time. I understand that I’ve talked about certain issues outside of cricket, which leaves me exposed, and a lot of people don’t like it,” Khawaja said.

“I know I’m here talking about topics and people will say, ‘Uzzie’s here, he’s playing the race card again.’ Don’t gaslight me. This stuff happens all the time, we see it, and we just don’t talk about it.”

Usman Khawaja stressed that his aim was not to seek sympathy, but to make the path easier for future cricketers from diverse backgrounds.

“I didn’t want to talk about this, but I just want the journey for the next Usman Khawaja to be different,” he said. “I want him or her to be treated the same, not have racial stereotypes over who they might be.”

In 2023, Khawaja was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for wearing a black armband during Australia’s first Test against Pakistan, a gesture he said was intended to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.

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Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket

Australia opener Usman Khawaja has announced that the ongoing Ashes series will be his last in international cricket, with the left-hander set to retire after the final Test in Sydney, bringing the curtain down on a career that began at the same venue.

If selected, the 39-year-old will feature in his 88th Test when Australia take the field at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday, marking a full-circle moment in a journey that started with his Test debut against England in 2011.

Khawaja also leaves behind a significant legacy as Australia’s first Muslim men’s Test cricketer.

Speaking at the SCG with his family present, Khawaja admitted the decision had been forming for some time.

“I’ve been thinking about it, not wholly, but for a while,” Khawaja said. “Moving into this series, I kind of had an inkling in my head that this would be the last series.”

Khawaja revealed that discussions with his wife, Rachel, and head coach Andrew McDonald played a key role in shaping his decision.

He also acknowledged that being left out earlier in the series, particularly ahead of the Adelaide Test, was a moment that clarified his thinking and reinforced that it was time to move on.

“I’m glad I get to leave on my own terms, with a little bit of dignity, and go out at the SCG where I love,” he said.

“But I think the start of the series was a pretty tough time. Then going into Adelaide and not being picked initially for the game, that was probably a sign for me to say, ‘all right, it’s time to move on.'”

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The veteran opener said he had contemplated retirement at various stages over the past two years and had even spoken to McDonald about potentially finishing after last summer’s Boxing Day Test against India.

He stressed that he never wanted to overstay his welcome and was prepared to step aside whenever the team felt it was necessary.

Despite external criticism suggesting he was holding on for personal reasons, Usman Khawaja maintained that he continued playing only because the team management wanted him to.

“Andrew McDonald practically said, No, I want you to stay. We need you for Sri Lanka and the World Test Championship. I want you to stay on. And so I did,” he added.

While his international career is nearing its end, Khawaja confirmed he will continue to play domestic cricket.

He is set to remain available for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and hopes to turn out for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield later in the season.

Khawaja has so far scored 6206 runs in 87 Test matches, including 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries, at an average of 43.39. His highest score of 232 came against Sri Lanka last year.

In addition to his red-ball exploits, he represented Australia in 40 ODIs, scoring 1,554 runs at an average of 42, and played nine T20Is, tallying 241 runs at a strike rate of 132.41.

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Warner names Usman Khawaja’s replacement in Test side

David Warner has named opener Matt Renshaw as the long-term replacement of Usman Khawaja in the Australia Test side.

Khawaja, 38, has been in the spotlight after being ruled out of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba due to injury.

The southpaw could not field in the opening Test because of a back spasm, which subsequently pushed Australia to move Travis Head up the order with debutant Jake Weatherald.

Speaking ahead of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15, Warna answered questions about Usman Khawaja’s place in the side ahead of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, starting on 17 December.

Warner backed Khawaja to open, stating that Travis Head batting down the order will pose a major threat to England bowlers.

“I think Uzzy (Khawaja) comes back in, slides to the top, and Trav (Head) goes down,” Warner told reporter.

“That’s probably a worse result for England, Travis Head going back down the order,” he cautioned.

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The 39-year-old emphasized Head’s attacking mindset, noting that the left-hander will be ready to bat up the order if needed.

“At the end of the day, Travis put his hand up to bat in the situation he was in,” he explained.

“He came out and batted in the way Travis Head does. You see plenty of interviews from Trav saying that is Uzzy’s spot, and if when the time comes they ask him to go up the order, he wouldn’t mind to do that.

David Warner also named Matt Renshaw as Usman Khawaja’s successor in the Australian Test side while admitting that the former has to score runs in a bid to extend his career.

“But moving forward, Renshaw could be one (option for replacement). I think he’ll slide straight back in there. He’s had a taste of Test cricket,” Warner said.

The 29-year-old Matt Renshaw has played 14 Tests and scored 645 runs at an average of 29.31, with his last Test appearance coming against India in 2023.

At the end of the day, you still have to score runs.” “You’ll deserve the dream farewell if you score runs and the selectors stick by you,” he concluded.

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Australia coach clarifies Khawaja’s role in flexible batting order

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has addressed the uncertainty around Usman Khawaja batting position upon his return for the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide.

Australia are 2-0 ahead in the series, with the third Test set to commence on December 17 in Adelaide.

McDonald answered questions about Australia’s batting order, with Usman Khan returning after being ruled out of the second Test due to injury.

In Khawaja’s absence, Jake Weatherald and Travis Head opened the batting for Australia.

The 38-year-old was battling discomfort throughout the series opener in Perth and was sidelined with a back injury.

“It worked at this point in time. Pink-ball Test at the Gabba, we felt like that combination was right for those conditions and the opposition,” McDonald said about Australia’s current opening pair.

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“We will always ask ourselves the question that the selection table as we move in. At our strategy meetings, we’ll continue to ask questions on what the best line-up is for that point in time. And we’re taking this Test by Test,” he maintained.

The head coach emphasized a flexible batting order, noting that all of their batters can play any position, regardless of their number.

“The assumption is that Uzzie can only open as well. So I think that he does have the flexibility. And we like to think that all our batters have the flexibility to be able to perform anywhere in that order,” McDonald explained.

“So we’ve got a collective sort of group of batters there that, as a series wears on, the opposition may create some different challenges for us. We’re open to what it will look like for us moving forward,” he concluded while expressing confidence.

Nonetheless, Australia is likely to name a squad for the third Test with skipper Pat Cummins also returning to the fold after an injury.

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Usman Khawaja ruled out of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane

BRISBANE: Usman Khawaja has been officially ruled out of the second Ashes Test against England at The Gabba after his back injury failed to settle, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old was battling discomfort throughout the series opener in Perth and has now been sidelined with a confirmed back injury.

Despite being unavailable for selection, Khawaja will remain with the squad to continue his rehabilitation, with selectors opting not to call in a replacement at this stage.

Khawaja attempted a light fitness test on Monday, completing short running drills on the Gabba outfield before spending around half an hour in the nets against the pink ball.

However, he appeared uncomfortable at various stages and faced only assistant coach Michael Di Venuto’s throw-downs, despite timing several pull shots cleanly.

The veteran left-hander endured a torrid first Test, where back spasms kept him off the field for extended periods.

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England’s rapid collapse on the opening day meant Usman Khawaja was unable to take his usual opening position, and when early wickets tumbled, he walked in at No.4 but managed just two runs.

On the second day, he returned to the slips, taking one sharp catch before spilling a low chance, during which his back again seized up while attempting another effort.

The episode opened the door for Travis Head, who went on to smash a match-winning century in the chase.

Khawaja’s struggles come at a time when his form was already under the scanner.

Since the end of the 2023 Ashes, he has averaged 31.84 with just one century across 45 innings, placing additional pressure on his position at the top of the order.

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