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Usman Khawaja (Cricketer) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 16, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth18 December 1986

Age38 Years

BirthplaceIslamabad, Pakistan

ProfessionAustralian Cricketer (Batsman)

NationalityPakistani and Australian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseRachel McLellan

FamilyFather - Tariq Khawaja; Mother - Fozia Tariq; Brothers - Nauman Khawaja and Arsalan Khawaja; Sister - N/A;

Usman Khawaja (Cricketer) Biography

Usman Tariq Khawaja is a Pakistani-born Australian left-handed batsman known for a calm presence on the field. A qualified commercial pilot who rose from U

Early life and background
Usman Tariq Khawaja was born on 18 December 1986 in Islamabad, Pakistan, and grew up in Sydney, New South Wales. He holds dual Pakistani and Australian nationality and trained academically at the University of New South Wales, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation. Before committing full-time to cricket, Khawaja completed commercial pilot training and is a licensed commercial pilot.

Career
Khawaja is a left-handed batsman whose international career for Australia began in Test cricket on 3 January 2011 against England in Sydney. He made his One Day International debut on 11 January 2012 versus Sri Lanka in Melbourne and debuted in T20 internationals on 31 January 2016 against India in Sydney. Known on the field for a calm demeanour, Khawaja has represented a range of domestic and franchise teams, including New South Wales, Queensland, Sydney Thunder, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Rising Pune Supergiants, Australia A, Australia Under-19s and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Across his early domestic career he registered notable milestones: scoring 85 on his first-class debut for New South Wales in 2008 and becoming the first New South Wales batsman to record consecutive double centuries for the NSW Second XI. He was the second-highest run-scorer in the Big Bash League season five with 345 runs. Khawaja has worn the number 1 jersey for Australia and has also used #1 in the Indian Premier League and county cricket.

His rise included a turning point after a century in a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales that drew praise from Steve Waugh. Before his Australia selection he won Player of the Australian Under-19 Championship in 2005 and spent time in county cricket in England to develop his game; he toured there with Derbyshire and Lancashire. Khawaja has also been noted as among the relatively small number of players born outside Australia to play for the national side.

Khawaja’s style and preferences as a batsman are reflected in his favoured straight drive and a particular enjoyment of playing against India and South Africa. On the international stage he has been part of touring squads and competitions including Ashes Tests, where he made his Test debut as a replacement for an injured player. He has also featured in the Indian Premier League as a replacement signing during the tournament period.

Public profile
Usman Khawaja’s public image combines his cricketing achievements with interests beyond the game. He is a practising Muslim and is recognised as the first Muslim cricketer to play for Australia. Off the field he enjoys listening to music, playing guitar and golf; he serves as an ambassador for the Brisbane Golf Club. His preferred cricketers include Adam Gilchrist and Brian Lara among batsmen, and he has named several fast bowlers he admires.

Khawaja’s career has also experienced disciplinary and selection scrutiny; during the 2012–13 Border-Gavaskar Trophy he was among players suspended by Cricket Australia for a breach of team discipline related to a failure to submit a performance presentation to coaching staff.

Personal life
Khawaja married Rachel McLellan on 6 April 2018. His parents are Tariq Khawaja and Fozia Tariq; he has brothers Nauman Khawaja and Arsalan Khawaja. He is reported to abstain from smoking and drinking alcohol. He shares a birth date with the actor Brad Pitt and lists Emma Watson as a favourite actress.

Latest updates
In recognition of his performances, Khawaja received the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award for 2023, announced on 24 January 2024. He continues to represent Australia in international cricket when selected and plays in domestic and franchise competitions as opportunities arise.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Usman Khawaja (Cricketer), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2023

Awarded ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for performances in 2023.

2024
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Career Highlights

  1. Made Test debut for Australia on 3 January 2011 vs England
  2. One of the first New South Wales batsmen to score consecutive double centuries for the NSW Second XI
  3. Second-highest run-scorer in BBL05 with 345 runs
  4. Won Player of the Australian Under-19 Championship in 2005
  5. Awarded ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2023
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Usman Khawaja (Cricketer) born?

Usman Khawaja (Cricketer) was born on 18 December 1986.

What is Usman Khawaja (Cricketer) known for?

Usman Khawaja (Cricketer) is known for australian Cricketer (Batsman).

What is Usman Khawaja (Cricketer)’s marital status?

Usman Khawaja (Cricketer)'s marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Usman Khawaja (Cricketer) married to?

Usman Khawaja (Cricketer) is publicly listed as married to Rachel McLellan.