Usman Khawaja Archives

Labuschagne throws support behind Khawaja ahead of pink-ball Ashes Test

BRISBANE: Marnus Labuschagne has publicly backed embattled opener Usman Khawaja ahead of the second Ashes Test, shutting down speculation that he could move up the order even if Australia decide to make changes at the top.

Khawaja endured a difficult outing in the opening Test against England in Perth, managing just two runs across the match while also battling back spasms that kept him off the field for significant periods.

England’s first-innings collapse meant he did not get the chance to open as scheduled, and when he walked out at No.4, he was dismissed cheaply by Brydon Carse

His movement in the field was restricted again on the second day, where he recovered enough to take a sharp catch at first slip to dismiss Harry Brook before his back flared up once more while attempting another chance off Jamie Smith.

The situation has intensified scrutiny on Khawaja’s form, with the left-hander averaging just over 31 since the end of the 2023 Ashes and registering only one century over that period.

The conversation gained further traction after Travis Head smashed a match-winning hundred as a stand-in opener, reigniting talk of a possible long-term change at the top of the order.

Speaking at The Gabba on Monday, Labuschagne dismissed the narrative that Khawaja needs guidance or replacement at this stage.

“I think Usman is a high-quality player and I don’t think he needs advice,” Labuschagne told reporters.

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He praised the veteran’s record, longevity and adaptability, highlighting his consistency since returning to the Test side in 2021 and describing him as the backbone of the batting unit.

“You look at his record, 85 Tests and what he’s done for Australian cricket, especially since his comeback in 2021,” he added.

“He’s been super consistent; he’s been really the rock [in] the top there. I think there’s been a lot of talk about how many opening partners he’s had over his time.

“The way he’s gone about his game, the way he’s gone from a No. 3, 4 and then opened the batting, navigated some tricky scenarios, he’s just been awesome.”

Marnus Labuschagne also stressed that selection decisions rest solely with the management and that his focus remains on contributing in his own role.

“I think whatever happens is up to the people above my pay grade and what they deem is the best way for us to win the game and win this series. I think it’s just game by game and you work out what’s your best team,” he further stated.

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Usman Khawaja reacts after fan asked to cover Pakistan jersey during India-England Test

Australia opener Usman Khawaja has questioned the incident involving a Pakistan fan during the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford.

Usman Khawaja posted on his social media handle regarding the incident that happened during the Manchester Test.

“This can’t be legit,” wrote Usman Khawaja on Instagram.

Earlier, a video emerged on social media in which a Pakistani fan named Farooq Nazar was told to cover up the Pakistan jersey. The spectator was wearing Pakistan’s traditional limited-overs jersey during the India-England match.

“I’ve been asked by control [Lancashire] if you can cover that shirt up, please,” the audio of the video transcribes.

In response, the spectator asked about the written order, and the guard replied that he should email regarding it.

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“Can you give me the written order? I have paid for the ticket. I need it in writing before I comply,” Nazar said in the video.

Later, a lady police officer came in and explained why he needed to cover up his shirt or have it changed.

“I will not cover the jersey because I am representing the country. You can take me out by force. Everyone can film me what you are doing to me. I have paid for the ticket. No Indian crowd complained about me,” he told several security people.

Following the incident, a Lancashire spokesperson stated that they have launched an investigation into the matter.

“We are aware of the incident referenced and are taking steps to understand the facts and context surrounding the matter fully,” the spokesperson said.

It is pertinent to mention that India and Pakistan have had tense relations in the recent past, both politically and in cricket terms.

A recent example was the cancellation of the 2025 World Championship of Legends (WCL) match between India and Pakistan, scheduled for 20 July at Edgbaston.

READ: WATCH: Fan asked to cover Pakistan jersey during India-England Test

Usman Khawaja shuts down retirement rumours ahead of West Indies Tests

Veteran opener Usman Khawaja has put retirement speculations to rest, reaffirming his commitment to Australia’s Test side ahead of their two-match series against the West Indies.

The 38-year-old, who is set to return to the top of the order, believes he still has plenty to contribute, not just with the bat but also as a mentor to 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who is expected to partner him at the top following David Warner’s retirement.

“I understand I’m 38 years old, people will always look for an excuse,” Khawaja said while addressing the media in Barbados.

“But I still have a role to play, opening the batting, providing a solid start, and setting up a platform for Australia.”

Khawaja, who formed a successful partnership with Warner across 41 innings, is now eyeing a similar bond with Konstas.

“With young Sammy [Sam Konstas] coming in, it’s an added role for me, helping him through his journey and passing on knowledge,” he said.

“I won’t be around forever, so it’s important to build some stability at the top and guide him while I can. He’s still very young, and it’s exciting to see what he can do.”

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Despite whispers about a dip in form, particularly against seam bowling, Khawaja stood firm, defending his technique and contribution.

Notably, since January 2024, Usman Khawaja averages 25.29 against pace, slightly below the global average of 27.84 for openers.

“I don’t understand how people say I struggle against seam if I’ve scored so many runs in Shield cricket and been Australia’s top scorer in the WTC,” he said.

“As an opener, you face the new ball every time; that’s just the nature of the job. I wish I could face more spin.”

While there’s growing chatter that the Sydney Test at the end of this year’s home Ashes series might be his farewell, Khawaja isn’t in a hurry to draw the curtain on his career.

“I’m not someone saying I want to play another 10 years, it’s about what’s best for the team,” he said.

“I could have stopped two years ago, but I knew I was still contributing. When that changes, everyone will know.”

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Usman Khawaja sets unwanted record against South Africa in WTC final

LONDON: Australia opener Usman Khawaja set an unwanted record with his 20-ball duck against South Africa on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final here at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

The opener’s fifth duck in WTC history has added him to the list alongside India’s Shubman Gill and former South Africa batter Dean Elgar, who share the record for most ducks in the tournament.

Usman Khawaja was removed duck in the seventh over by South African pacer Kagiso Rabada.

For the unversed, Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah holds the record for the most ducks in the WTC history. He has gone without scoring 20 times while Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi is behind with eight ducks to his name.

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At the time of filing this report, Australia were 109-4 in 34.3 overs.

After opting to bowl first, South Africa took four early wickets to leave Australia reeling at 67-4 after the first session.

Usman Khawaja was the first wicket to fall, caught in the slips by David Bedingham after facing 20 deliveries without scoring.

Cameron Green came out to play his first Test innings since his back surgery; however, his stay was short-lived as he fell prey to Rabada after scoring four runs off three balls.

Labuschagne (17) was joined by an ever-dependable Steve Smith, but they could not form a solid partnership as Marco Jansen removed the former to leave Australia struggling at 46-3.

Travis Head (11) joined Smith but failed to add much to the total, getting caught behind off Jansen at the stroke of Lunch after scoring a meagre 11.

PLAYING XIs

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

READ: WTC Final: South Africa pacers strike early to put Australia under pressure

Australia’s Usman Khawaja slams Queensland Cricket over injury controversy

Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja has hit back at the Queensland Cricket boss Joe Dawes, who accused him of being unavailable for the Sheffield Shield match.

Khawaja did not play in the recent first-class match against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval. The southpaw flew to Melbourne to watch the Australian Grand Prix, which caused controversy.

The left-hander is currently dealing with a minor ankle issue and hamstring soreness.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Dawes criticized Khawaja’s absence, asserting that there was no valid reason for him to miss the Shield match in Adelaide.

“Our medical staff said all the way through he has been available for selection,” Dawes said on Friday.

“That is my understanding from Cricket Australia staff as well. No hamstring issues as far as we are concerned.”

He lamented his absence, highlighting the players who are out despite being ready to play.

“I go off our medical staff and there is no reason why he could not have played the last game.”

“It’s just disappointing he didn’t play a game for Queensland when he had an opportunity to. I have got a bunch of blokes here that all want to play,” he said.

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Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy, a Queensland Cricket board member, also criticized Usman Khawaja for not participating in the match.

On Friday, Usman Khawaja replied during a press conference that Dawes’s comments were disappointing and shocking.

He claimed that medical staff from Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia were aware of his hamstring concerns.

“Joe Dawes came out the other day and said a few inflammatory things, which is really disappointing to me as a player,” said Khawaja.

“After that, I felt like I had to speak up and at least give my side of the story. My hammy (hamstring) is reported, everything is there, everyone knew about it, he explained.

“Joey said the medical staff had no idea: that is 100% wrong. I was talking to the Australian (team) physio the whole time, ” he added.

The 38-year-old batter stated that he is not expecting an apology from Dawes and would have no grudges.

“I’m in the middle of Ramadan right now,” said the Pakistan-born 38-year-old.

“Islam’s very important to me. One of the things always is mending bridges. I’m never the kind of guy to hold grudges and to kick people out of my life, and I would never do that to anyone in Queensland Cricket,” he concluded.

Notably, Queensland will play South Australia in the final in Adelaide starting Wednesday.

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Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith tons power Australia to 330-2 in first Sri Lanka Test

Steve Smith stood unbeaten on 104 after crossing 10,000 Test runs and helped Australia pummel Sri Lanka alongside fellow centurion Usman Khawaja on day one of the opening Test on Wednesday.

Australia reached 330-2 in 81.1 overs when rain stopped play for the day after the tourists elected to bat first in Galle at the start of the two-match series.

Left-handed opener Khawaja, on 147, and skipper Smith put on an unbeaten stand of 195 to thwart the opposition attack in two wicketless afternoon sessions.

Milestone man Smith got three runs off Nishan Peiris to reach his third ton in four matches as he took off his baggy green and raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd’s cheers.

Steve Smith took the crease in the first session with 9,999 runs and calmly nudged his very first delivery to mid-on for a single off Prabath Jayasuriya.

He became the 15th batsman to 10,000 Test runs and only the fourth Australian to achieve the feat after Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

Australia captain survived an early reprieve in his knock when Jayasuriya grassed a sharp return catch in the same over, a chance Sri Lanka would come to rue. He made the hosts pay dearly, crafting a sublime 35th Test century.

Usman Khawaja reached his 16th Test hundred -– his maiden ton on Sri Lankan soil -– after a 17-match drought since his Ashes century in June 2023.

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The ton came with a flick off fast bowler Asitha Fernando to the fine leg boundary, a stroke brimming with elegance and relief.

The 38-year-old had a few heart-in-mouth moments when a couple of edges fell just short of fielders and a reprieve on 74 when he nicked Jayasuriya to the keeper, but Sri Lanka chose not to review the on-field decision.

Another opportunity slipped through Sri Lanka’s fingers with Smith on 90 as Kusal Mendis, slow to react behind the stumps, spilled a bat-pad chance.

Earlier, Travis Head smashed 57 off 40 balls including 10 fours and one six to put Sri Lanka on the back foot right away.

Head, who replaced 19-year-old Sam Konstas as an opener for the Test, put on 92 runs with fellow left-hander Khawaja.

The hosts finally found a breakthrough when Head misfired an ambitious charge against Jayasuriya only to find the long-on fielder.

Jeffrey Vandersay had Marnus Labuschagne caught at first slip for 20 with his left-arm spin.

With three specialist spinners in the Australian XI, the tourists hold all the aces, especially with the pitch expected to deteriorate as the game progresses.

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Usman Khawaja dons black armband for THIS reason in fifth India Test

SYDNEY: Australia top-order batter Usman Khawaja wore a black armband on Friday during the first day of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India here at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Khawaja made this gesture in remembrance of a profound personal tragedy—the untimely passing of his friend, former South African cricket star Ashwell Prince’s wife, Melissa.

Prince, who played for South Africa in 66 Test matches and 52 One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 2002 and 2011, recently lost his 40-year-old wife to cancer.

The former South African cricketer announced the news on Instagram with a video and a caption honoring his late wife.

“It was extremely difficult to have to see you endure as much pain as you did in the last few months of your life,” he wrote.

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“But we choose to remember you in the way that we knew you. A gem, one of the rare types who touched people’s hearts in a special way wherever you went.”

“We miss you mama and can hardly believe that you’re gone. But you have made an imprint in all of our hearts that can never be erased.

“Happy New Year my love. Rest in Peace up there, your boys will always love you!”

It is important to note that Usman Khawaja and Prince developed a strong friendship while playing together for the Lancashire cricket team in England.

Khawaja came out to bat in the final session of the first day after India were skittled for a meagre 185 in their first innings. However, the veteran opener could not contribute much as he fell prey to Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah after scoring two runs off nine balls.

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Babar Azam donates his jersey to Usman Khawaja Foundation

Pakistan star batter Babar Azam, in a heartwarming gesture, donated his game-worn Test jersey to the Usman Khawaja Foundation at The Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Babar’s iconic jersey is set to be auctioned off, with all proceedings dedicated to the Usman Khawaja Foundation.

For the unversed, the foundation is committed to empowering youth from diverse backgrounds, including those who are refugees, immigrants, Indigenous, and individuals from rural, remote, and low-socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Australian opening batter thanked Babar for his generous gesture and commended the Pakistani star for his eagerness to support his foundation.

“Babar has been great! He texted me not long ago when he heard the announcement with Cricket Australia [CA]. ‘Usman, can I do anything to help? I’d love to donate one of my T20I final jerseys?’ [narrating Babar’s text message],” Usman Khawaja stated.

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“But instead, he’s got a Test shirt that he wanted to donate. Babar Azam, obviously one of the great Pakistani cricketers. I really appreciate your support and help,” he added.

Khawaja further revealed his ambitious plans to establish a lasting connection between his foundation and The Gabba Test, envisioning it as an annual event.

His inspiration comes from The McGrath Foundation, which has been an integral part of the Sydney Test, dedicating itself to raising awareness and educating young Australian women about breast cancer.

“We’ve got the pink Test in Sydney. We’re trying to make the Usman Khawaja Foundation a part of the Gabba Test,” Khawaja said.

“I didn’t speak English [when arriving in Australia from Pakistan as a child]. Cricket broke down the barriers for me. I never felt isolated when I played sport,” he concluded.

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Usman Khawaja opens up on possibility of coaching Pakistan in future

Australian opening batter Usman Khawaja has recently opened up about the possibility of coaching the Pakistan cricket team in future.

Usman was recently featured on the ‘Backward Point’ podcast on YouTube, where he was asked if he would be open to coaching the Pakistan cricket team after his retirement.

The Pakistan-born batter shared that while he would love to consider the role, the instability in Pakistan cricket makes him think against it.

“[After retirement] I would love to share some of the things I’ve learned about the game. However, the Pakistan cricket team lacks stability,” said Usman Khawaja.

“In the past, it has always seemed like it’s forever changing, the coach is forever changing, the selectors are forever changing—there’s no stability,” he added.

The southpaw acknowledged the need for stability in the Pakistan cricket team from the top. “I mentioned this a few weeks ago, the stability in Pakistan cricket needs to be established from the top,” he further added.

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Usman Khawaja made a comparison between the instability of the Pakistan cricket team and that of other countries. He expressed his openness to potentially taking on a coaching role in the future, provided there is greater stability within the team.

“When you compare it to other countries, there’s a lot more stability. In Pakistan, it feels like players are frequently in and out of the team. If there were more stability in the future, it’s something I could consider,” he asserted.

The Australian batter mentioned that he might be interested in taking on a position with the Indian team due to the greater level of stability there.

“In contrast, India seems like a more reasonable task because they have a bit more stability. I feel like if I took on the role with the Pakistan cricket team, I’d be there one minute and out the next,” he concluded.

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Usman Khawaja comments on Babar Azam’s future as Pakistan captain

Australia’s left-handed opener Usman Khawaja shared his opinion on Babar Azam’s future as Pakistan’s white-ball captain after the former champions’ dismal run at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Khawaja, while addressing the media, at an event in Melbourne on Monday, threw his weight behind Babar to continue leading the Green Shirts in white-ball cricket.

“It’s Babar Azam’s decision to captain, if he can, he should,” stated Usman Khawaja.

The Pakistan-born Australian cricketer also pointed out the lack of stability in Pakistan Cricket, stating such uncertainty makes it difficult for the players to perform.

“When I look from the outside, changes are constant in the Pakistan cricket. Selection committee, staff and players keep changing,” said Khawaja.

“Such a situation is difficult because stability is very important. When there is no stability, it is difficult for players to perform. Pakistan cricket team never sees stability,” he added.

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It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam has been under hot water following the national men’s team’s early exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan had a disastrous start to their campaign as they suffered a shock loss against the co-host United States of America (USA) after a Super Over.

The 2009 champions then succumbed to a gut-wrenching defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India at a jam-packed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 9.

The back-to-back defeats put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit and despite their victories over Canada and Ireland, they failed to reach the Super Eights stage.

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