Usman Khawaja needed plenty of patience and composure to qualify as a pilot, and the same qualities have made him one of the most promising young batsmen in Australia. Born in Pakistan, Khawaja moved with his family to Australia when he was a young boy, and in the 2011 Sydney Ashes Test became the first Muslim to play for Australia. Batting at No.3 in place of the injured Ricky Ponting, he made 37 and 21 and showed impressive poise, giving Australia a ray of hope in a series that had brought them little but doom and gloom. A fine left-handed batsman who was a national under-19 representative, Khawaja delivered on the rave reviews during his second and third seasons with New South Wales. He collected three Sheffield Shield centuries in 2009-10 in a haul of 698 runs, following a return of 554 at 42.61 the previous summer. New South Wales were in the desperate trouble of 4 for 88 at the Gabba when Khawaja stepped in with his maiden century and he followed his 112 with 172 not out in the final game of 2008-09.
ESPNcricinfo staff August 2011