The Brisbane Heat have confirmed Usman Khawaja will continue his KFC Big Bash League career this summer, signing on for his fifth season in teal.
FAMOUS FIVE FOR KHAWAJA | Usman Returns
The Australian Test champion retired from first class and one-day cricket at the end of last summer, with his international swansong coming in the wake of the Ashes series victory in Sydney.
However, the classy left-hander has agreed to another season in the BBL where he will be available for all games, with fans eager to see more of the sort of form that netted him player of the match honours against the Sydney Thunder at the Gabba last summer.
In that match, Khawaja produced a sublime 78 from 48 balls to keep the Heat’s Finals hopes alive.
Khawaja said he was keen at the prospect of playing the entire competition for the Heat, having notched up eight matches in 2022 when the club produced a late season winning streak that took them to a Final.
“It’s going to be a bit strange, but very exciting as well, to be at the Gabba for the first game of our season on 15 December,’’ he said.
“In the past it has been a few games here or there, depending on the Australian team’s commitments, which has been enjoyable. But the prospect of a full competition is even better.”
Khawaja, who has been part of BBL championship squads with the Sydney Thunder in 2015-16 and the Heat in 2023-24, has played 124 T20 games in his career, featuring three centuries and 18 half centuries.
Khawaja played in the Pakistan Super League in April and will link in with the Heat’s pre-BBL training schedule ahead of the Big Bash getting underway this summer.
Brisbane Heat coach James Hopes welcomed the return of Khawaja for BBL|16.
“Having someone with Uzzie’s class, composure and experience in our group is only going to make us better,’’ he said.
“His individual skills and reading of the game mean his contributions are always valuable.”
“We’re looking forward to enjoying the competition with him and know that he will have plenty to offer the club on and off the field,” Hopes said.
Brisbane has signed 14 of its 18-player squad.
BRISBANE HEAT - BBL|16 SQUAD
Xavier Bartlett
Max Bryant
Tom Curran (Eng) - NEW
Lachlan Hearne
Spencer Johnson
Usman Khawaja
Matt Kuhnemann
Michael Neser
Nathan McSweeney
Matthew Renshaw
Tim Robinson (NZ) - NEW
Callum Vidler
Hugh Weibgen
Jack Wildermuth
Tickets and memberships are on sale now for all WBBL and BBL Heat games.