by Haroon Khan

11th July 2010

 

PakPassion.Net: What does it feel like being the first Muslim getting a chance to play for world champion Australian team? Do you feel any added pressure? 

Usman Khawaja: No added pressure at all. Religion is a very personal thing to me and I only get judged by how I perform on the field, and that is all I can try to control.


PakPassion.Net: Which club did you start playing cricket with? Did you play with other international and state players and who was your coach? 

Usman Khawaja: My first team was Randwick and now I play club cricket for them in Sydney. I grew up playing with David Warner and Moises Henriques. We are from the Eastern Suburbs. Both those guys have represented Australia.

PakPassion.Net: When you first started playing cricket in Australia, what were you told to focus on by your coaches? 

Usman Khawaja: To play straight, watch the ball as hard as I could and make sure I had good footwork while batting.

PakPassion.Net: Growing up, which cricketers have you admired most? And why? 

Usman Khawaja: Brian Lara and Adam Gilchrist were my favourite players. Lara for his ability to read game situations so well, and changing them in the space of five overs. I loved how he showed no fear. Similar with Gilchrist although having met him a few times I came to like the kind of person he was as well.

PakPassion.Net: Who is your all-time favorite Pakistani cricketer? 

Usman Khawaja: Probably Saeed Anwar, he was a beautiful cricketer to watch, in full flow. Wasim Akram too.

PakPassion.Net: What are your thoughts on the Pakistan team, specifically the bowling attack? 

Usman Khawaja: They always have a lot of talent to pick from no doubt, and their bowling attack is very respectable, which has always been the case for Pakistan, in particular their pace bowlers. Amir is a good young talent.

PakPassion.Net: Immigrating from Pakistan, have you and your family always supported Australia? If not, when what was the time you started supporting Australia?’ 

Usman Khawaja: Ever since I can remember, I have supported Australia. Obviously my mom and dad supported Pakistan when they first arrived in Australia but they transitioned over soon enough as well. I will never forget where I come from, and no one should, but Australia has been my home every since I can remember.

PakPassion.Net: Who are your closest friends in the Australian cricket team? 

Usman Khawaja: Steven Smith and Simon Katich. I have known both for a long period of time and they are both excellent cricketers and great mates. Young Smithy has blossomed into a fine cricketer.

PakPassion.Net: How supportive have your teammates been? 

Usman Khawaja: As supportive as you’d expect – we are all fighting for position, but on the other hand there is a close bond with my NSW and Australia A teammates as we all try for a slot in the prestigious Australia team. 

That is one thing about the cricket culture in Australia - everyone is really happy for other peoples achievements.

PakPassion.Net: Which is the most memorable innings you have played in you short career? 

Usman Khawaja: My first First Class hundred was special. I was coming into that game knowing I was struggling for the Blues so to come out with a hundred and my first one was very special to me.

PakPassion.Net: Who is the most difficult bowler you have faced? 

Usman Khawaja: Nathan Hauritz is a handful to face. He always seems to be one step ahead of me and it does my head in! Luckily we both play for the same state and club team. 

PakPassion.Net: The Australian U19 team just recently won the U19 World Cup. Any players from that group that we should be looking out for? 

Usman Khawaja: Josh Hazelwood is an obvious candidate. He is an extremely talented bowler and a giant of a boy who is still growing. 

Mitchell Marsh is a very talented allrounder and Nic Maddinson is a very mature young left-handed batsman. Jason Floros from QLD also has a lot of potential. 

PakPassion.Net: You have had limited opportunities playing T20 cricket and many have labeled you a test only batsmen. What are your thoughts on your playing style? 

Usman Khawaja: Media labels are meaningless to me. Scoring runs in the right way and is all that counts. I play for NSW and they have a very strong group of players to contend with. But I believe good batsman will score in any conditions. You see the likes of Mahela Jayawardene and Paul Collingwood who are really good test match batsman and always find a way to do well in the T20 scene as well. 

PakPassion.Net: Any ambitions to play in the many T20 leagues being played around the world? 

Usman Khawaja: Not at the moment. My goal is to play well for my State side back home and hopefully play for Australia. If I can do that the rest will take care of itself.

PakPassion.Net: Do you think that you're batting technique has a unique style or is it built off players you have watched and learned from? 

Usman Khawaja: No, I think it is quite original. I have never copied any other player, and never plan too. Everyone has to find a way to score on the field and that’s all I have tried to do. As much as I admire many players and the way they have batted, I think playing style is a very personal choice.

PakPassion.Net: We keep hearing about how strong Australian domestic cricket is, why is it so strong in your opinion? 

Usman Khawaja: I don’t know how strong it is relative to other domestic competitions, but I might assume it’s high because the players are rising to the challenge of a place in the Australian side. In broader terms, I would assume that the coaching and administration standards are very high, if not the best in the world.

PakPassion.Net: Which language do you speak at home? 

Usman Khawaja: English. Unless my mom is shouting at me.

PakPassion.Net: What is your favourite Pakistani food? 

Usman Khawaja: Pretty much anything my mother cooks.

PakPassion.Net: I am sure your family must be extremely proud of your achievements. Will any of them be with you on tour? 

Usman Khawaja: Mum and Dad are already here. I couldn’t stop them!