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Is Usman Khawaja already the greatest ever Asian batsman to represent a non-Asian country?
- Thread starter Rana
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James
World Star
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The Guardian Sportsblog
<b>Khawaja’s twin Ashes hundreds give Australia selection dilemma</b>
<I>Centuries at the SCG showcased both sides of Khawaja’s game and could re-establish him as a Test regular beyond this series</I>
— Geoff Lemon at the Sydney Cricket Ground
If you are going to make a statement, you might as well make it emphatic.
That has been the attitude reflected in Usman Khawaja’s feats in Sydney at the fourth Ashes Test as he followed his first-innings 137 with an unbeaten 101.
He joined the rare club of batters to have made twin centuries in a Test, alongside 16 other Australians, and in scoring his 10th Test ton he drew level with Lindsay Hassett, Bob Simpson and Simon Katich.
The first century was the work of an opener, even if in this match he was required to bat at No 5.
Khawaja left the ball with dedication, waited out good spells and was restrained in his shot selection before gradually expanding it.
He faced 260 balls at a strike rate of just over 50. His only close call was a fast edge from the left-arm spinner, Jack Leach, that hit the wicketkeeper’s leg and bounced clear.
His second hundred was the work of Khawaja circa 2016, when he made 104 not out in the semi-final and 70 in the final of the Big Bash to carry the Sydney Thunder to the title.
In the second innings in Sydney he settled himself in with 35 off 74 balls before tea and after launched 66 off 64 balls.
He played the reverse sweep to crisp perfection, deflected lap shots over his shoulder and smashed slog-sweeps off the spinners into the stands.
There was little pressure, coming in 190 runs ahead against a team whose batting has struggled, but he drove Australia’s advantage all the way home.
In doing so, Khawaja has introduced a very interesting selection quandary for those running his team.
Four days ago, he was supposed to be a one-match gap-filler while Travis Head sat out the required time after a positive Covid test.
Even scoring a hundred in the first innings did not mean that was going to change. But scoring two in two makes it far harder to leave out Khawaja for the game in Hobart.
That said, leaving out Head would be harsh as well. He made 152 in the Brisbane Test to set up Australia’s first win, putting them on a path to an Ashes win in straight sets. At 28 years old, Head has been heavily invested in as Australia’s future.
Having just turned 35, Khawaja is something else. But age should not exclude him. Chris Rogers had a profitable Test career from that age onwards, Adam Voges much the same. Khawaja, enjoying a mastery of his game, could still have several years to offer.
Retaining him need not necessarily be a straight shootout with Head. The two centuries in Sydney constitute the entirety of Khawaja’s experience batting at No 5. He is a career first drop or opener, internationally and domestically.
It is illustrative of England’s series that by the end of day four their openers had made 187 runs for 14 dismissals, while Khawaja had made 238 for one. It is also illustrative to put Khawaja’s tally from two innings against Marcus Harris with 179 from seven.
Harris does not deserve to be punted in his own right – his 76 in Melbourne was an important innings – and he has looked better since then. But he is strongly inclined to loose dismissals for middling scores, of which his nick behind from Leach for 27 to end his match here was just the latest.
If the question is purely who is the better player between he and Khawaja, there are no grounds for debate. At 29 years old with 14 Tests behind him, Harris cannot keep being defined as a project player.
None of which means Khawaja is some batting god. He was dropped in England in 2019 after underwhelming returns from many opportunities over a decade. By then he had played in four Ashes series with an average of 29.
He had played three great innings – in Dubai against Pakistan, Adelaide against South Africa, and Wellington against New Zealand – but had a lot of uninspiring efforts in between.
What he is now, though, is a player in supreme form, full of confidence, evidently more relaxed in the middle than he has ever been, having built an understanding of his game from experience while retaining the physical capability of delivering it.
That he found a method against spin in the UAE in 2018 means he could be significant in the coming year with nine Tests to be played in Asia.
It is possible Khawaja will not play in the fifth Test. Team management backed Harris before the series to go the distance. Head has claims to return.
But under the chair of selectors, George Bailey, Australia have shown a more flexible approach to picking the right players for the right conditions.
Khawaja may not be opening in Hobart and will probably take that in his stride. But when Australia take the field in Karachi in March, it is very hard to believe he will not be among those running on.
<b>Khawaja’s twin Ashes hundreds give Australia selection dilemma</b>
<I>Centuries at the SCG showcased both sides of Khawaja’s game and could re-establish him as a Test regular beyond this series</I>
— Geoff Lemon at the Sydney Cricket Ground
If you are going to make a statement, you might as well make it emphatic.
That has been the attitude reflected in Usman Khawaja’s feats in Sydney at the fourth Ashes Test as he followed his first-innings 137 with an unbeaten 101.
He joined the rare club of batters to have made twin centuries in a Test, alongside 16 other Australians, and in scoring his 10th Test ton he drew level with Lindsay Hassett, Bob Simpson and Simon Katich.
The first century was the work of an opener, even if in this match he was required to bat at No 5.
Khawaja left the ball with dedication, waited out good spells and was restrained in his shot selection before gradually expanding it.
He faced 260 balls at a strike rate of just over 50. His only close call was a fast edge from the left-arm spinner, Jack Leach, that hit the wicketkeeper’s leg and bounced clear.
His second hundred was the work of Khawaja circa 2016, when he made 104 not out in the semi-final and 70 in the final of the Big Bash to carry the Sydney Thunder to the title.
In the second innings in Sydney he settled himself in with 35 off 74 balls before tea and after launched 66 off 64 balls.
He played the reverse sweep to crisp perfection, deflected lap shots over his shoulder and smashed slog-sweeps off the spinners into the stands.
There was little pressure, coming in 190 runs ahead against a team whose batting has struggled, but he drove Australia’s advantage all the way home.
In doing so, Khawaja has introduced a very interesting selection quandary for those running his team.
Four days ago, he was supposed to be a one-match gap-filler while Travis Head sat out the required time after a positive Covid test.
Even scoring a hundred in the first innings did not mean that was going to change. But scoring two in two makes it far harder to leave out Khawaja for the game in Hobart.
That said, leaving out Head would be harsh as well. He made 152 in the Brisbane Test to set up Australia’s first win, putting them on a path to an Ashes win in straight sets. At 28 years old, Head has been heavily invested in as Australia’s future.
Having just turned 35, Khawaja is something else. But age should not exclude him. Chris Rogers had a profitable Test career from that age onwards, Adam Voges much the same. Khawaja, enjoying a mastery of his game, could still have several years to offer.
Retaining him need not necessarily be a straight shootout with Head. The two centuries in Sydney constitute the entirety of Khawaja’s experience batting at No 5. He is a career first drop or opener, internationally and domestically.
It is illustrative of England’s series that by the end of day four their openers had made 187 runs for 14 dismissals, while Khawaja had made 238 for one. It is also illustrative to put Khawaja’s tally from two innings against Marcus Harris with 179 from seven.
Harris does not deserve to be punted in his own right – his 76 in Melbourne was an important innings – and he has looked better since then. But he is strongly inclined to loose dismissals for middling scores, of which his nick behind from Leach for 27 to end his match here was just the latest.
If the question is purely who is the better player between he and Khawaja, there are no grounds for debate. At 29 years old with 14 Tests behind him, Harris cannot keep being defined as a project player.
None of which means Khawaja is some batting god. He was dropped in England in 2019 after underwhelming returns from many opportunities over a decade. By then he had played in four Ashes series with an average of 29.
He had played three great innings – in Dubai against Pakistan, Adelaide against South Africa, and Wellington against New Zealand – but had a lot of uninspiring efforts in between.
What he is now, though, is a player in supreme form, full of confidence, evidently more relaxed in the middle than he has ever been, having built an understanding of his game from experience while retaining the physical capability of delivering it.
That he found a method against spin in the UAE in 2018 means he could be significant in the coming year with nine Tests to be played in Asia.
It is possible Khawaja will not play in the fifth Test. Team management backed Harris before the series to go the distance. Head has claims to return.
But under the chair of selectors, George Bailey, Australia have shown a more flexible approach to picking the right players for the right conditions.
Khawaja may not be opening in Hobart and will probably take that in his stride. But when Australia take the field in Karachi in March, it is very hard to believe he will not be among those running on.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Usman Khawaja's fairytale comeback has presented Australia with a selection headache, and captain Pat Cummins conceded it would be hard to drop the in-form batsman from the fifth and final Ashes Test against England in Hobart next week.
Khawaja, 35, was picked to play his first Test in 2-1/2 years only because Travis Head had tested positive for COVID-19, but he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, smashing a century in each innings and claiming the man-of-the-match award.
With a fit Head set to join the team in Hobart, left-hander Khawaja said he did not expect to be retained for the final Test. But Cummins did not want to rule him out.
"I'll preface it by saying I'm not a selector, but when someone comes out and hits twin hundreds, it's pretty hard to go past them for the week after," Cummins said after the drawn fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"So we'll work through that, the selectors will work through that in the next few days. But when someone's running hot, has got a heap of experience like Uzzy, the way he plays is fantastic."
Head's match-winning century in the opening Test had set the tone for Australia's dominance in the five-Test series.
Considering Khawaja's ability to bat anywhere in the top order, Australia could also be tempted to play him as opener replacing Marcus Harris, who has managed only one half-century in the series so far
Cummins said Khawaja's versatility made the batsman an asset to have.
"I guess that's why he was the spare batter and picked in the squad originally," Cummins said. "It felt like he could replace any batter one-to-six really well. He's hugely versatile."
"I know there's been question marks historically on him playing over in Asia, but you see how well he's played spin recently," he said, referring to the batsman's performance on the drier, spin-friendly wickets in Asia.
"Reverse sweeping, sweeping. He's just someone who is in total command of his game, and that's why you love experience."
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...aja-says-pat-cummins/article38202177.ece/amp/
Khawaja, 35, was picked to play his first Test in 2-1/2 years only because Travis Head had tested positive for COVID-19, but he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, smashing a century in each innings and claiming the man-of-the-match award.
With a fit Head set to join the team in Hobart, left-hander Khawaja said he did not expect to be retained for the final Test. But Cummins did not want to rule him out.
"I'll preface it by saying I'm not a selector, but when someone comes out and hits twin hundreds, it's pretty hard to go past them for the week after," Cummins said after the drawn fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"So we'll work through that, the selectors will work through that in the next few days. But when someone's running hot, has got a heap of experience like Uzzy, the way he plays is fantastic."
Head's match-winning century in the opening Test had set the tone for Australia's dominance in the five-Test series.
Considering Khawaja's ability to bat anywhere in the top order, Australia could also be tempted to play him as opener replacing Marcus Harris, who has managed only one half-century in the series so far
Cummins said Khawaja's versatility made the batsman an asset to have.
"I guess that's why he was the spare batter and picked in the squad originally," Cummins said. "It felt like he could replace any batter one-to-six really well. He's hugely versatile."
"I know there's been question marks historically on him playing over in Asia, but you see how well he's played spin recently," he said, referring to the batsman's performance on the drier, spin-friendly wickets in Asia.
"Reverse sweeping, sweeping. He's just someone who is in total command of his game, and that's why you love experience."
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...aja-says-pat-cummins/article38202177.ece/amp/
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,751
Has has played over 44 Tests for Australia.
I don't know any other Asian-origin batsman who has played 40+ Tests for a major non-Asian team.
You have to be really good to play for Australia too.
Therefore, he is a very good candidate to be the greatest ever Asian batsman to represent a non-Asian country.
I don't know any other Asian-origin batsman who has played 40+ Tests for a major non-Asian team.
You have to be really good to play for Australia too.
Therefore, he is a very good candidate to be the greatest ever Asian batsman to represent a non-Asian country.
mastimasti
Tape Ball Captain
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2021
- Runs
- 1,018
Erm...Amla for SA?
Nasser Hussain for England although I cant remember his exact number of test matches, has to be more than 40 though.
And depending on how one defines the windies, Asians are often a minority, so Kanhai, Chanderpaul...freaking chanderpaul was great!
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,751
Deserves a good run now for Australia in Tests and has to be in the XI if they tour Pakistan.
Giannis
First Class Player
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2019
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It's not even that, he was only 3 when he moved to Australia but even if he were born in Australia he would still count as he was born to immigrant parents, if you're only 2nd-3rd generation and you come from any of the modern nation states established post-world war 2 then you can be counted as a diaspora representative. Amla's case is different because his Indian ancestors migrated to South Africa in the 1800s, that's a very long time ago and at that point you're considered "old stock" and have roots that go back generations. South African Indians have even developed their own dialect of English, when all these South Asians were taken by the British across the world in the 19th century they lost all contact with their homeland.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 46.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/i7ljaw" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
Pat Cummins asks alcohol to be put away to get Usman come on the stage
Pat Cummins asks alcohol to be put away to get Usman come on the stage
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
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James
World Star
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2006
- Runs
- 50,818
- Post of the Week
- 2
Well played Pat. 
Good to see Cummings and labu asking him to come back to the stage.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Khawaja, who moved from Pakistan to Australia as a child with his family, only returned to the Australian XI in the fourth test of the series, scoring centuries in each innings in Sydney last month. The entire Ashes squad was retained for the Pakistan series.
“Any tour for Australia is great, but going away to Pakistan is pretty special ... because I was born there, but also because they haven’t had cricket for so long,” Khawaja said.
Until last year, international teams mostly stayed away from Pakistan after an attack by Islamist militants on the Sri Lanka cricket team's bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.
Now Pakistan is set to host tours by Australia, West Indies, England and New Zealand between March 2022 and April 2023.
“It’s massive for world cricket. It’s massive for Australian cricket, because a part of it is about giving back to the game,” Khawaja said. “And I think that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
The 35-year-old left-handed batter said he'd always wanted to play in Pakistan.
“I’ve played in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, all over the sub-continent, but never played in the home of where I was born,” he said. "It’ll be a nice special moment. There's a lot of positives — not just for myself, but everyone going for Australia.”
https://www.yahoo.com/now/khawaja-australia-squad-three-test-013455558.html
“Any tour for Australia is great, but going away to Pakistan is pretty special ... because I was born there, but also because they haven’t had cricket for so long,” Khawaja said.
Until last year, international teams mostly stayed away from Pakistan after an attack by Islamist militants on the Sri Lanka cricket team's bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.
Now Pakistan is set to host tours by Australia, West Indies, England and New Zealand between March 2022 and April 2023.
“It’s massive for world cricket. It’s massive for Australian cricket, because a part of it is about giving back to the game,” Khawaja said. “And I think that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
The 35-year-old left-handed batter said he'd always wanted to play in Pakistan.
“I’ve played in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, all over the sub-continent, but never played in the home of where I was born,” he said. "It’ll be a nice special moment. There's a lot of positives — not just for myself, but everyone going for Australia.”
https://www.yahoo.com/now/khawaja-australia-squad-three-test-013455558.html
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Usman Khawaja is prepared to miss the arrival of his second child to fulfil a lifelong ambition of wearing the baggy green in his country of birth, as Cricket Australia brace for player withdrawals from the historic series in Pakistan.
All of Australia’s biggest stars feature in a near full-strength 18-player squad for the three Tests, as Pat Cummins’ men aim to conquer the cricketing world in the post-Justin Langer era.
But CA is expecting some players to pull out of Australia’s first visit to Pakistan in almost 24 years due to concerns over safety.
Players and agents have been briefed by CA’s head of high performance Ben Oliver in recent days over the presidential level security measures Pakistan authorities are implementing in a bid to raise international confidence over playing cricket in the country.
Though there remains anxiety among players over touring, one man who will take part is Khawaja, who is prepared to make an enormous personal sacrifice to play in Pakistan.
The veteran, who has been assured of opening in the first Test, and his wife Rachel are expecting the birth of their second child in mid to late April. The three Tests are due to finish March 25 but he will almost certainly miss the birth if the baby is born earlier than expected.
“She’s very understanding. We even had a conversation about what happens if we had a baby mid-Test match. She knows I love playing cricket, it’s very important to me, she’s very supportive of that, and she knows I try to support her any way I can,” Khawaja said.
“But fingers crossed she doesn’t have a baby while we’re away. I was always going to go. It’s going to take me a lot to come back, it is Test cricket for Australia. I’m sort of not thinking about it because I don’t want it to happen, but ask me if it does happen.”
Khawaja will retain his place at the top of the order after deposing Marcus Harris for the fifth Ashes Test with twin tons upon recall in Sydney. Selectors have not closed the door on Harris, 29, who remains in their plans as they prepare for life after Warner.
“I’d certainly think David Warner and Uz would likely start as the openers in Pakistan, but we also are aware, not that age is a be all and end all barrier, both Uz and Bull are reasonably old,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.
“We’ve got a lot of subcontinental cricket over the next 12-18 months so it’s important to focus on a succession plan there and develop Harry’s skills.”
The series in Pakistan is the first of three in Asia for Australia, followed by a tour of Sri Lanka slated for June and a heavyweight bout in India, which is likely to also settle the score on the best Test nation in the world.
Cummins has made it clear he wants this Australia side to return to the heights of the teams he watched growing up in the 1990s and 2000s led by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting – and winning abroad is pivotal to achieving those goals.
Subcontinent pitches traditionally favour spin but Bailey’s intel is telling him there will be assistance for the quicks in the first Test (Rawalpindi), spin in the second (Karachi) and the batters in the third (Lahore).
There were no surprises in the squad with 14 of the 15 players who featured in the Ashes all named, with the exception being Jhye Richardson, who is having his long-term future managed. Leggie Mitchell Swepson and back-up wicketkeeper Josh Inglis stay in the squad, while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and spinner Ashton Agar have been recalled.
Scott Boland has kept his place following his meteoric rise, though he faces a challenge to stay in the XI with senior quick Josh Hazlewood back after a side strain ruled him out of the final four Ashes Tests.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cri...eries-in-post-langer-era-20220208-p59unr.html
All of Australia’s biggest stars feature in a near full-strength 18-player squad for the three Tests, as Pat Cummins’ men aim to conquer the cricketing world in the post-Justin Langer era.
But CA is expecting some players to pull out of Australia’s first visit to Pakistan in almost 24 years due to concerns over safety.
Players and agents have been briefed by CA’s head of high performance Ben Oliver in recent days over the presidential level security measures Pakistan authorities are implementing in a bid to raise international confidence over playing cricket in the country.
Though there remains anxiety among players over touring, one man who will take part is Khawaja, who is prepared to make an enormous personal sacrifice to play in Pakistan.
The veteran, who has been assured of opening in the first Test, and his wife Rachel are expecting the birth of their second child in mid to late April. The three Tests are due to finish March 25 but he will almost certainly miss the birth if the baby is born earlier than expected.
“She’s very understanding. We even had a conversation about what happens if we had a baby mid-Test match. She knows I love playing cricket, it’s very important to me, she’s very supportive of that, and she knows I try to support her any way I can,” Khawaja said.
“But fingers crossed she doesn’t have a baby while we’re away. I was always going to go. It’s going to take me a lot to come back, it is Test cricket for Australia. I’m sort of not thinking about it because I don’t want it to happen, but ask me if it does happen.”
Khawaja will retain his place at the top of the order after deposing Marcus Harris for the fifth Ashes Test with twin tons upon recall in Sydney. Selectors have not closed the door on Harris, 29, who remains in their plans as they prepare for life after Warner.
“I’d certainly think David Warner and Uz would likely start as the openers in Pakistan, but we also are aware, not that age is a be all and end all barrier, both Uz and Bull are reasonably old,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.
“We’ve got a lot of subcontinental cricket over the next 12-18 months so it’s important to focus on a succession plan there and develop Harry’s skills.”
The series in Pakistan is the first of three in Asia for Australia, followed by a tour of Sri Lanka slated for June and a heavyweight bout in India, which is likely to also settle the score on the best Test nation in the world.
Cummins has made it clear he wants this Australia side to return to the heights of the teams he watched growing up in the 1990s and 2000s led by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting – and winning abroad is pivotal to achieving those goals.
Subcontinent pitches traditionally favour spin but Bailey’s intel is telling him there will be assistance for the quicks in the first Test (Rawalpindi), spin in the second (Karachi) and the batters in the third (Lahore).
There were no surprises in the squad with 14 of the 15 players who featured in the Ashes all named, with the exception being Jhye Richardson, who is having his long-term future managed. Leggie Mitchell Swepson and back-up wicketkeeper Josh Inglis stay in the squad, while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and spinner Ashton Agar have been recalled.
Scott Boland has kept his place following his meteoric rise, though he faces a challenge to stay in the XI with senior quick Josh Hazlewood back after a side strain ruled him out of the final four Ashes Tests.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cri...eries-in-post-langer-era-20220208-p59unr.html
Maybe kohli should learn this from Usman…leaving in the middle of a tournament set a bad precedent
He understands that as a cricketer, time and commitment are very important also than just being present for the birth of your child.
And more importantly, his time as a professional cricketer is limited. This is a once in a lifetime chance for him
A father can and should be be involved in many ways in raising a child and being there for them. Sometimes you have to pick and choose what’s more important. It is not going to be possible to attend every single event.
Usman Khawaja has shown maturity here and I’m sure Rachel is a great and understanding partner and 1/1000th less famous and controlling than Anushka to allow him to do that
He understands that as a cricketer, time and commitment are very important also than just being present for the birth of your child.
And more importantly, his time as a professional cricketer is limited. This is a once in a lifetime chance for him
A father can and should be be involved in many ways in raising a child and being there for them. Sometimes you have to pick and choose what’s more important. It is not going to be possible to attend every single event.
Usman Khawaja has shown maturity here and I’m sure Rachel is a great and understanding partner and 1/1000th less famous and controlling than Anushka to allow him to do that
Rana
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2006
- Runs
- 84,475
Maxwell as well. Why not hold your marriage in the IPL season? Why Pakistan tour?
Khawaja is an average batsman at best. Likes of Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah did okay for England too. Thing I respect about UK is how he has not forgotten his Pak roots. I always enjoyed watching Ramnaresh Sarwan when he was at his best.
Varun
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2012
- Runs
- 26,111
- Post of the Week
- 1
Bump.
What a season he's been having.
What a season he's been having.
Rana
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2006
- Runs
- 84,475
Yep. Totally agree…
fieldMarshal
Debutant
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2006
- Runs
- 180
The title for the greatest Asian batsman to represent a non Asian side goes to Hashim Amla,..... hands down.
Super Santi
Tape Ball Regular
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2012
- Runs
- 361
Came online to agree with Khawaja being the best.
Forgot about Amla.
Amla first, Khawaja 2nd as it stands (would take a lot to dislodge Amla).
Incredible Khawaja has not played a greater number of tests over the course of his career given how bad Australia's batting reserves have been.
Kianig89
T20I Star
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2012
- Runs
- 32,252
Hashim Amla
Rana
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2006
- Runs
- 84,475
Do chanderpaul and Amla’s parents speak fluent Hindi/Urdu like Khwaja’s parents?
What does ones parents fluency in Urdu or Hindi have anything to do with this? Pretty sure if both Amla or Chanderpaul did a DNA test they would have at least 80% desi genes. Also, the older generation do speak a creole version on Hindi in the Carribean, look up clips of Carribean Hindustani on Youtube.
Sidilicious
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2013
- Runs
- 6,207
People do realise that there were Kanhai and Kallicharan, even before Chanders and Amla came along?
Hassaan HS
Tape Ball Regular
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2021
- Runs
- 361
Usman Khwaja Century Moment in Pakistan Vs Australia 2nd Test
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/veztyq" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/veztyq" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
silentkiller187
First Class Captain
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2014
- Runs
- 5,483
Usman Khawaja's 2022 in Test cricket:
137
101*
6
11
97
160
44*
91
647 runs at an average of 107.83
137
101*
6
11
97
160
44*
91
647 runs at an average of 107.83
Rana
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2006
- Runs
- 84,475
I should have mentioned this in OP
The criteria of the South Asian origin player should be parents who speak fluent Hindi/Urdu/Sinhalese/Bengali as if they are clearly migrants. In that case, I do not think Hashim Amla and Chanderpaul qualify as they have family origins in that country for decades before their birth (I could be wrong)
Players who now come to mind are:
1. Khwaja
2. Moeen (who might actually have a white English mother I’m not sure)
3. Adil Rashid (ODI and T20)
4. Monty Panesar
In the process big names:
1. Ish Sodhi
2. Ajaz Patel
3. Saqib Mahmood
4. Tabrez Shamsi (not sure about his origin)
Potential world class upcoming
1. Jason Sangha
The criteria of the South Asian origin player should be parents who speak fluent Hindi/Urdu/Sinhalese/Bengali as if they are clearly migrants. In that case, I do not think Hashim Amla and Chanderpaul qualify as they have family origins in that country for decades before their birth (I could be wrong)
Players who now come to mind are:
1. Khwaja
2. Moeen (who might actually have a white English mother I’m not sure)
3. Adil Rashid (ODI and T20)
4. Monty Panesar
In the process big names:
1. Ish Sodhi
2. Ajaz Patel
3. Saqib Mahmood
4. Tabrez Shamsi (not sure about his origin)
Potential world class upcoming
1. Jason Sangha
Ashraful_Rox
Test Debutant
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2010
- Runs
- 15,668
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CY0qY30o5yN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width
Mashallah what a good thing by Usman Khwaja, Khwaja is my favorite Pakistani cricketer at the moment
daytrader
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2015
- Runs
- 10,850
- Post of the Week
- 1
Usman Khawaja's 2022:
137
101*
6
11
97
160
44*
91
104*
71
0*
37
29
65
6
50*
137
101*
6
11
97
160
44*
91
104*
71
0*
37
29
65
6
50*
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Usman Khawaja 94(55) in BBL12 -
Local.Dada
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2019
- Runs
- 6,321
Stats wise I don’t know but impact wise it has to be Rohan Kanhai. He not only inspired brown cricketers in the Carribean but also a lot of sc cricketers at that time like Gavaskar, Javed Miandad and some other sc greats who consider him their role model .
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Usman Khawaja has won the inaugural Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year award following a superb 12 months in Australian whites.
And he delivered a quintessentially Khawaja acceptance speech.
Since returning to the Test side in January last year, Khawaja has been Australia’s leading run-scorer in the five-day format, accumulating 1020 runs at 78.46 during the voting period.
He capped off the voting period with an unbeaten 195 during the rain-affected New Year’s Test against South Africa at the SCG – his third consecutive Test century at the venue.
Last week, Khawaja was named in the ICC Test Team of the Year alongside Australian teammates Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne.
During his acceptance speech, Khawaja thanked Travis Head for making way from the Australian team – due to Covid – midway through last summer’s Ashes series, which ultimately gave Khawaja another opportunity at Test level – an opportunity he’s grasped forcefully.
“I honestly thought that game at the SCG … I always thought it could be my last game. I was playing it as my last game,” Khawaja said.
“It’s funny when you play with that kind of mindset how things can actually work out. I was just worried about getting off the mark and doing the process right and trying to win the game for the team. Life’s very funny at times.”
The Queenslander was unstoppable in Pakistan, his country of birth, registering scores of 97, 160, 44 not out, 92 and 104 not out during the historic tour.
“What we did as a team going to Pakistan … I mean, New Zealand had an opportunity to go, they didn’t go. England had an opportunity to go, they didn’t go,” he said.
“All the way from CA up to the top, up to Pat (Cummins), all the players – it was a sacrifice at some level because the families … it was uncertain. We hadn’t been back there for so long, so for a lot of people they don’t see behind the scenes it’s a tough decision to make. Credit to everyone who went.
“Obviously I was born in Pakistan. I know what it means to Pakistan cricket. I know what it means to Pakistan. I know what it means to my dad because I grew up and I saw what the passion he had for cricket and supporting Pakistan and now Australia. For the guys to do that, I think speaks volumes for the team and where we’re headed.”
Khawaja was then asked to say a few thank you’s, which prompted a cheeky self-plug.
“I’ll just start by saying congrats to everyone on the team. I think there’s been outstanding performances – Marnus, Smudger, Patty always, Gaz the amount of wickets you’ve taken this year is unbelievable. I was just a little bit better I think … I’m just joking guys, I had to get it out there,” he said with a laugh.
Khawaja then turned his attention to his family and delivered touching tributes.
“For my wife, Rachel – you are the rock. You know how much I love you,” he said.
“When I got dropped in 2019, you gave me unconditional love. I’m getting emotional thinking about a very tough time in my life. You loved me when I was playing for Australia, you loved me when I was playing for Queensland, even when I was a ‘clubbie’ playing for ‘Valleys’ you gave me unconditional love.
“You love Usman Khawaja the person, not Usman Khawaja the cricketer – and for that, I’m truly indebted to you. Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.
“I’ll just give a quick mention to my daughters, Aisha and Ayla. They won’t understand what’s going on right now, but I’m sure at some level at some time in life, they’ll be like ‘you should’ve thanked us’. Feisty girls, those ones.
“Aisha I love you so much. You bring so much happiness to my life, something I could never ever explained. You mean the world to me. Ayla, you’re only eight months old, you’re attached to your mum right now, the most I get is ‘ba ba ba’ from you – but that ‘ba ba ba’ melts my heart and I love you too very much.
“To my mum, I’m sure you probably would have seen her in the stands. She’s the lady with the scarf who’s always panicking every single match I play. She still thinks it’s my first Test match – Mum I’ve played 50 Test matches, I’m 36 years old, relax! Enjoy the game please. I love you so much. I’m hoping the next little bit of the journey you can enjoy.
“To my dad, who’s an absolute cricket tragic. You made the biggest sacrifice of all for us kids. We lived a very good life in Pakistan, we were comfortable. But you moved, you decided to take a leap – without a job, without anything – for us children to have a better life. For that I will always be indebted and for that I will always thank you for allowing me to be in Australia and representing the Australian cricket team. Who knows if you never moved, I might have been at the PCB awards right now getting an award … probably for best all-rounder because my offies would’ve been devastating out there!”
As Khawaja was thanking his teammates, Marnus Labuschagne screamed out from his seat and appeared to give Khawaja the wind-up.
“This is my time. When The People’s Champ’s talking, don’t rush The People’s Champ, alright?” Khawaja said.
He then thanked cricket fans – because “The People’s Champ has to thank the fans”.
“The love I’ve gotten over the last year, I could never ever imagined getting that kind of love,” he said.
“I finally feel like not only my teammates, but Australia as a country and as a cricketing organisation is finally respecting me as the person, the beliefs I have. I love where we’ve been and where we’re going. I love where we’ve come over the last 10 to 15 years and hopefully over the next 10 to 15 years we can be even further.
“Thank you.”
Khawaja earlier in the night also won the Community Impact Award for his work off the field. The Australian opener’s Usman Khawaja Foundation helps young people from disadvantaged communities by providing educational and cricketing opportunities.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...d/news-story/dc4d0ca07a8bf3a4e2aa8b77fc46ec6a
And he delivered a quintessentially Khawaja acceptance speech.
Since returning to the Test side in January last year, Khawaja has been Australia’s leading run-scorer in the five-day format, accumulating 1020 runs at 78.46 during the voting period.
He capped off the voting period with an unbeaten 195 during the rain-affected New Year’s Test against South Africa at the SCG – his third consecutive Test century at the venue.
Last week, Khawaja was named in the ICC Test Team of the Year alongside Australian teammates Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne.
During his acceptance speech, Khawaja thanked Travis Head for making way from the Australian team – due to Covid – midway through last summer’s Ashes series, which ultimately gave Khawaja another opportunity at Test level – an opportunity he’s grasped forcefully.
“I honestly thought that game at the SCG … I always thought it could be my last game. I was playing it as my last game,” Khawaja said.
“It’s funny when you play with that kind of mindset how things can actually work out. I was just worried about getting off the mark and doing the process right and trying to win the game for the team. Life’s very funny at times.”
The Queenslander was unstoppable in Pakistan, his country of birth, registering scores of 97, 160, 44 not out, 92 and 104 not out during the historic tour.
“What we did as a team going to Pakistan … I mean, New Zealand had an opportunity to go, they didn’t go. England had an opportunity to go, they didn’t go,” he said.
“All the way from CA up to the top, up to Pat (Cummins), all the players – it was a sacrifice at some level because the families … it was uncertain. We hadn’t been back there for so long, so for a lot of people they don’t see behind the scenes it’s a tough decision to make. Credit to everyone who went.
“Obviously I was born in Pakistan. I know what it means to Pakistan cricket. I know what it means to Pakistan. I know what it means to my dad because I grew up and I saw what the passion he had for cricket and supporting Pakistan and now Australia. For the guys to do that, I think speaks volumes for the team and where we’re headed.”
Khawaja was then asked to say a few thank you’s, which prompted a cheeky self-plug.
“I’ll just start by saying congrats to everyone on the team. I think there’s been outstanding performances – Marnus, Smudger, Patty always, Gaz the amount of wickets you’ve taken this year is unbelievable. I was just a little bit better I think … I’m just joking guys, I had to get it out there,” he said with a laugh.
Khawaja then turned his attention to his family and delivered touching tributes.
“For my wife, Rachel – you are the rock. You know how much I love you,” he said.
“When I got dropped in 2019, you gave me unconditional love. I’m getting emotional thinking about a very tough time in my life. You loved me when I was playing for Australia, you loved me when I was playing for Queensland, even when I was a ‘clubbie’ playing for ‘Valleys’ you gave me unconditional love.
“You love Usman Khawaja the person, not Usman Khawaja the cricketer – and for that, I’m truly indebted to you. Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.
“I’ll just give a quick mention to my daughters, Aisha and Ayla. They won’t understand what’s going on right now, but I’m sure at some level at some time in life, they’ll be like ‘you should’ve thanked us’. Feisty girls, those ones.
“Aisha I love you so much. You bring so much happiness to my life, something I could never ever explained. You mean the world to me. Ayla, you’re only eight months old, you’re attached to your mum right now, the most I get is ‘ba ba ba’ from you – but that ‘ba ba ba’ melts my heart and I love you too very much.
“To my mum, I’m sure you probably would have seen her in the stands. She’s the lady with the scarf who’s always panicking every single match I play. She still thinks it’s my first Test match – Mum I’ve played 50 Test matches, I’m 36 years old, relax! Enjoy the game please. I love you so much. I’m hoping the next little bit of the journey you can enjoy.
“To my dad, who’s an absolute cricket tragic. You made the biggest sacrifice of all for us kids. We lived a very good life in Pakistan, we were comfortable. But you moved, you decided to take a leap – without a job, without anything – for us children to have a better life. For that I will always be indebted and for that I will always thank you for allowing me to be in Australia and representing the Australian cricket team. Who knows if you never moved, I might have been at the PCB awards right now getting an award … probably for best all-rounder because my offies would’ve been devastating out there!”
As Khawaja was thanking his teammates, Marnus Labuschagne screamed out from his seat and appeared to give Khawaja the wind-up.
“This is my time. When The People’s Champ’s talking, don’t rush The People’s Champ, alright?” Khawaja said.
He then thanked cricket fans – because “The People’s Champ has to thank the fans”.
“The love I’ve gotten over the last year, I could never ever imagined getting that kind of love,” he said.
“I finally feel like not only my teammates, but Australia as a country and as a cricketing organisation is finally respecting me as the person, the beliefs I have. I love where we’ve been and where we’re going. I love where we’ve come over the last 10 to 15 years and hopefully over the next 10 to 15 years we can be even further.
“Thank you.”
Khawaja earlier in the night also won the Community Impact Award for his work off the field. The Australian opener’s Usman Khawaja Foundation helps young people from disadvantaged communities by providing educational and cricketing opportunities.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...d/news-story/dc4d0ca07a8bf3a4e2aa8b77fc46ec6a
Last edited:
- Joined
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The two facets of the Usman Khawaja Foundation:<br><br>1: Allowing kids from low socio-economic backgrounds to play sport for free<br>2: Giving grants, scholarships and things needed for kids' education<br><br>Both close to Khawaja's 
<a href="https://t.co/REQ6CzAQcP">pic.twitter.com/REQ6CzAQcP</a></p>— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/7Cricket/status/1619994685841317889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a href="https://t.co/REQ6CzAQcP">pic.twitter.com/REQ6CzAQcP</a></p>— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/7Cricket/status/1619994685841317889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
SalimBhai
First Class Player
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Well done sir
- Joined
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Doing a brilliant job in Delhi - 77* at the moment
Mirpuri Don
Debutant
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Rohan Kanhai (ethnic Tamil for the WI) - someone of the caliber of Gavaskar considered him the greatest batsman he's ever seen, naming his son after him - and Hashim Amla (ethnic Gujurati for SA) are still ahead.
He might fight for the #3 place with Chanderpaul though.
He might fight for the #3 place with Chanderpaul though.
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Out for 81 - - rest of the Aussie batting doing diddly by the looks of it.
Saurav
Senior T20I Player
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Surely Nasser Hussain
Rana
Hall of Famer
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Saurav
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topspin
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Khawaja is a much better batsman than Nasser Hussain.
Nasser didn't even average 40 in tests. Khawaja's test average is 25% higher which is a huge difference.
jnaveen1980
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Ashwin bowled one of the best spell upfront. Apart from one tough drop Usman's innings was very good. Given the quality he was up against (Siraj, Shami, Ashwin) this is definitely one of his better innings of his career. More than 100s he made.
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Really pleased for Usman - done the hard work, now cashing in
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">His third fifty for the series!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/ox3PhIozeA">pic.twitter.com/ox3PhIozeA</a></p>— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1633740506969821184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">His third fifty for the series!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/ox3PhIozeA">pic.twitter.com/ox3PhIozeA</a></p>— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1633740506969821184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Now on 150* and playing with a lot of confidence, double-hundred for the taking
gazza619
Test Debutant
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- 13,416
Deserves huge credit for cementing his place. He has been treated unfairly many a times by selectors throughout his career.
shaz619
Test Star
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This is a good comparison, based on current sample size; I’d just edge towards Usman, but it’s very close. Comes down to preference to. At home both are good, but Usman is considerably better in Asia.
It’s a shame Usman hasn’t featured enough in the baggy green, he should have played close to 100 Tests by now.
It’s a shame Usman hasn’t featured enough in the baggy green, he should have played close to 100 Tests by now.
- Joined
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- 217,977
Pakistan-born Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja feels the biggest challenge throughout his career has been fitting in the national team by being true to himself and also earning the respect of his teammates through his on-field performances.
Born in Islamabad, Khawaja was the first Pakistan-born cricketer to play Test cricket for Australia when he made his debut in 2011.
“The biggest challenge for me throughout my career playing for Australia has been fitting in. For me it is always about fitting in and feeling like I can be myself in the Australian cricket team and that has taken a little bit of time,” Khawaja told the ICC.
“A little bit of that is earning the respect of my teammates by scoring runs and performing on the field, and the other side is me being myself and comfortable in my own skin.” The 36-year-old is part of the Australian squad for the World Test Championship final against India, starting here on Wednesday.
“To do what I want and for the guys in the team to understand and respect who I am as a person. That always takes a certain time when you are trying to change certain structural things around Australian cricket and for me, that has been my biggest hurdle.
“But at the same time, it is something that I am most proud of achieving because I am the first cricketer to be born in Pakistan or to come from a sub-continent background to represent the Australian cricket team.
“And I am one of few coloured cricketers to ever represent Australia, so it is very proud for me.” The prolific opener, who has amassed 4495 runs from 60 Tests, is an integral part of the Australian Test team but the southpaw had been dropped post the 2019 away Ashes series despite some good scores.
After scoring runs in the Sheffield Shield, Khawaja made a comeback into the Test side for 2021 Ashes, and scored centuries in both innings in the Sydney Test.
“I definitely get to be myself more now. Two things. One, I don’t give a crap because I am older and I am at the backend of my career so I can do what I want. Two, these boys that I am playing with are guys that I grew up playing with. I grew up playing with a lot of them, playing for New South Wales.
“Starcy (Mitchell Starc), (Pat) Cummins, (Josh) Hazlewood, (Steve) Smith and (David) Warner – all of these guys I grew up playing with so it makes it a lot easier to be myself. Even when I came into Australian cricket I was the young fella from a sub-continent background coming into a very white Australian cricket team.
“I found it very tough to fit into the mould. And there was a mould for Australian cricket at that time and that mould is not really there anymore.” Khawaja’s splendid run played a huge role in Australia qualifying for the maiden WTC final.
“Hopefully, slowly, I can be the first of many Usman Khawaja’s – both male and female – who come into the system who aren’t born in Australia and traditionally aren’t white Anglo Saxons,” he said.
“That is the reason I feel most comfortable now. One because I am a little older and comfortable with myself, but two also the guys in the team and around me make me feel more comfortable than I have ever been.”
https://indianexpress.com/article/s...ustralia-has-been-fitting-in-khawaja-8648008/
Born in Islamabad, Khawaja was the first Pakistan-born cricketer to play Test cricket for Australia when he made his debut in 2011.
“The biggest challenge for me throughout my career playing for Australia has been fitting in. For me it is always about fitting in and feeling like I can be myself in the Australian cricket team and that has taken a little bit of time,” Khawaja told the ICC.
“A little bit of that is earning the respect of my teammates by scoring runs and performing on the field, and the other side is me being myself and comfortable in my own skin.” The 36-year-old is part of the Australian squad for the World Test Championship final against India, starting here on Wednesday.
“To do what I want and for the guys in the team to understand and respect who I am as a person. That always takes a certain time when you are trying to change certain structural things around Australian cricket and for me, that has been my biggest hurdle.
“But at the same time, it is something that I am most proud of achieving because I am the first cricketer to be born in Pakistan or to come from a sub-continent background to represent the Australian cricket team.
“And I am one of few coloured cricketers to ever represent Australia, so it is very proud for me.” The prolific opener, who has amassed 4495 runs from 60 Tests, is an integral part of the Australian Test team but the southpaw had been dropped post the 2019 away Ashes series despite some good scores.
After scoring runs in the Sheffield Shield, Khawaja made a comeback into the Test side for 2021 Ashes, and scored centuries in both innings in the Sydney Test.
“I definitely get to be myself more now. Two things. One, I don’t give a crap because I am older and I am at the backend of my career so I can do what I want. Two, these boys that I am playing with are guys that I grew up playing with. I grew up playing with a lot of them, playing for New South Wales.
“Starcy (Mitchell Starc), (Pat) Cummins, (Josh) Hazlewood, (Steve) Smith and (David) Warner – all of these guys I grew up playing with so it makes it a lot easier to be myself. Even when I came into Australian cricket I was the young fella from a sub-continent background coming into a very white Australian cricket team.
“I found it very tough to fit into the mould. And there was a mould for Australian cricket at that time and that mould is not really there anymore.” Khawaja’s splendid run played a huge role in Australia qualifying for the maiden WTC final.
“Hopefully, slowly, I can be the first of many Usman Khawaja’s – both male and female – who come into the system who aren’t born in Australia and traditionally aren’t white Anglo Saxons,” he said.
“That is the reason I feel most comfortable now. One because I am a little older and comfortable with myself, but two also the guys in the team and around me make me feel more comfortable than I have ever been.”
https://indianexpress.com/article/s...ustralia-has-been-fitting-in-khawaja-8648008/
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
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Looking set for a big one Usman:
- Joined
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- 217,977
Usman's first century in England!
What a time to get it.
What a time to get it.
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- 217,977
126* and brings his daughter to the presser....
- Joined
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- 217,977
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A former Pakistan Chief Selector once said to me that Usman Khawaja would never have played for Pakistan as he isn't good enough �� <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashes23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashes23</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1670129394923327494?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Usman Khawaja hit his seventh Test century since being recalled by Australia to lead a solid effort on day two of the first Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston.
Khawaja’s brilliant 126* was his 15th career century but his first in Tests in England, and his effort helped Australia finish the day on 311/5, trailing by 82 with five wickets remaining.
Khawaja’s record since returning in the Sydney Test against the same opponents back in January of 2022 has been phenomenal.
The left-hander has hit tons in India and Pakistan in that time, as well as reaching triple figures at home against South Africa and England. But his record in English conditions had been poor prior to this outstanding knock in Birmingham.
Khawaja has now scored 1747 runs in the 31 innings since his return to the Australian fold, averaging an extraordinary 69.88 in that time.
And an emotional reaction from Khawaja upon reaching his landmark spoke to how significant this moment is for the 36-year-old.
The opener put together decent partnerships with Travis Head, Cameron Green and Alex Carey to help Australia back towards first-innings parity, with England left to rue a trio of missed opportunities as Australia edged the second day's play.
ICC
Khawaja’s brilliant 126* was his 15th career century but his first in Tests in England, and his effort helped Australia finish the day on 311/5, trailing by 82 with five wickets remaining.
Khawaja’s record since returning in the Sydney Test against the same opponents back in January of 2022 has been phenomenal.
The left-hander has hit tons in India and Pakistan in that time, as well as reaching triple figures at home against South Africa and England. But his record in English conditions had been poor prior to this outstanding knock in Birmingham.
Khawaja has now scored 1747 runs in the 31 innings since his return to the Australian fold, averaging an extraordinary 69.88 in that time.
And an emotional reaction from Khawaja upon reaching his landmark spoke to how significant this moment is for the 36-year-old.
The opener put together decent partnerships with Travis Head, Cameron Green and Alex Carey to help Australia back towards first-innings parity, with England left to rue a trio of missed opportunities as Australia edged the second day's play.
ICC
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- 15,745
This guy has got the heart of a lion. All the times he's been dropped (IIRC they said on comms it's 7), he comes back stronger after every setback.
The top 3 ranked Test batters in the world in the side, he outshone them all. 36 and only getting better, you love to see it!
The top 3 ranked Test batters in the world in the side, he outshone them all. 36 and only getting better, you love to see it!
that is the greatest joke I've ever read
If he is good enough to open for Australia, he is more than good enough to open for Pakistan or any other Test playing nation.
zulfiqar
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Does Hashim Amla count? Didn't his family migrate to SA in early 1900s or something? Not sure about Khwaja.
Ab Fan
Senior Test Player
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- 27,975
Each of the top 6 in Australian lineup is world class.
Khawaja
Warner
Marnus
S Smith
Head
Green
Carey has also started hitting that level in past year or so.
Khawaja
Warner
Marnus
S Smith
Head
Green
Carey has also started hitting that level in past year or so.
Whilst head Is a good player he has obvious weakness when the bowl is pitched short.
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End of a brilliant innings - Khawaja out for 141
Rana
Hall of Famer
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- 84,475
Guy is an inspiration tbh
Not easy being of South Asian descent and making yourself a mainstay of the great Australian Test team.
Just imagine growing up watching cricket in 2005 when Australia were at their peak. A lot of South Asian kids would never have thought someone from their background would ever get in to a team like Australia and actually belong their.
Not easy being of South Asian descent and making yourself a mainstay of the great Australian Test team.
Just imagine growing up watching cricket in 2005 when Australia were at their peak. A lot of South Asian kids would never have thought someone from their background would ever get in to a team like Australia and actually belong their.
Mamoon
ATG
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This isn’t a great Australian Test team. Khawaja wouldn’t get anywhere near the great Australian Test team of the 2000s.
Nonetheless, he has been in really good touch over the last couple of years. He was heading for a mediocre career but his numbers are very impressive now.
Ab Fan
Senior Test Player
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Head is terrific player vs all types of bowling except spin on turning wickets.
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Too cute this interaction.
This is an amazing guy.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The hilarious moment when the daughter of Australian cricketer, Usman Khawaja, was caught by her dad scrolling through a journalist's camera roll �� <a href="https://t.co/wgxlgTIcOv">pic.twitter.com/wgxlgTIcOv</a></p>— Eurosport (@eurosport) <a href="https://twitter.com/eurosport/status/1670164851363311616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This is an amazing guy.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The hilarious moment when the daughter of Australian cricketer, Usman Khawaja, was caught by her dad scrolling through a journalist's camera roll �� <a href="https://t.co/wgxlgTIcOv">pic.twitter.com/wgxlgTIcOv</a></p>— Eurosport (@eurosport) <a href="https://twitter.com/eurosport/status/1670164851363311616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Colorblind Genius
First Class Captain
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Yep, I think the biggest hurdle he had was Justin Langer who seemed to have a personal and unfair bias against Khawaja.
Khawaja was in a good form when Smith-Warner incident happened - and Khawaja was 100% natural selection to be the next captain in line.
But I guess together with Langer, a few more in ACB couldn’t swallow the idea of brown South Asian leading an all white Aussie squad.
So they put Tim Paine on the helm, someone who did not deserve to be in the playing 11.
Khawaja was then dropped again under the wrong justification of a couple poor innings.
But I think he got a lucky beak that Paine was disgraced and kicked out - and Pat Cummins took over.
Over the years I have liked very, very few Australian players and Cummins is one of them.
Looks to be a fair, honest and well mannered gentleman - I have also noticed that perhaps the traditional Australian sledging has also gone mellow under Cummins captaincy.
So Khawaja got a lucky beak that Cummins immediately did the right thing - he kicked out Langer and brought back Khawaja onboard - and Khawaja hasn’t looked back since then.
Joseph Gomes
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Amla doesn't count; his parents are not Indian by birth. He is of Indian descent, but so are millions of people in the Caribbean. Chanderpaul would also count otherwise.
Khawaja is 100% Asian batsman to represent an Asian country since he was born in Pakistan to Pakistani parents. As such he is an immigrant and inspiration figure to all immigrants. Amla isn't an immigrant, he's as South African has ABD.
shaz619
Test Star
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He will be up there when he’s done
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126* and brings his daughter to the presser....
I recall the presser I attended in Dubai after he played that marathon knock to keep Mohammad Abbas at bay and draw the game for Australia.
Just came on the podium and spoke like it was nothing. Really admire him for his inner strength.
Tim Paine's captaincy never made any sense to me honestly. The guy was nowhere with the bat, compared to his predecessors. I honestly thought Khawaja was going to inherit captaincy and then this dude from nowhere got it.
Also, would have been interesting to see how far Khawaja's career would have gone had his family decided to stay in Pakistan.
Major
Test Star
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As always, Indians are triggered.
Khawaja is the best Asian Batsman to represent a non Asian country. Maybe if Unmukt Chand actually does get selected for USa, will he become the second best maybe?
Khawaja is the best Asian Batsman to represent a non Asian country. Maybe if Unmukt Chand actually does get selected for USa, will he become the second best maybe?
Nikhil_cric
T20I Star
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Triggered? Most Indians are very happy. Just look at his record vs PAK vis a vis his record vs India. 34 average vs India, 99 average vs Pakistan
) . He's the kind of Pakistani all Indians will support 
Also, he is a very watchable batsman and reminds me a lot of Azhar. Hope brother Usman does well here and crushes it in the home summer against his favourite bunnies. 
Major
Test Star
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Triggered? Most Indians are very happy. Just look at his record vs PAK vis a vis his record vs India. 34 average vs India, 99 average vs Pakistan
Thread is about whether he is the greatest ever Asian batsman to represent a non-Asian country. You have gone way over board.
Chalo, atleast you admit he is the greatest ever Asian batsman to represent a non-Asian country
People here are impressed by how well Khawaja is doing, including the Indians/other nationalities - considering the hurdle he had to go through being a non-white dude in a full white team - and this dude comes from nowhere starting triggered post? Seriously man?
Rana
Hall of Famer
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Rooting for Khawaja to win this Test for Australia and forever be remembered at Edgebaston 2023
Major
Test Star
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maybe do bother to read the West Indies players being labelled as Indian expats before commenting
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