Email
Print
Praying has been an important resort for Australia’s top-order batsman Usman Khawaja during tough times and the southpaw believes that it has helped him gain his long-running form and secure spots in all three formats for his country.
“The game can be quite tough at times and stressful and emotional,” he said in an interview to ESPNCricinfo.
“I pray. That’s what keeps me centered. The number one most important thing in my life is religion,” he added.
In 2011, Khawaja became the first Muslim cricketer to play for Australia when he made his Test debut in an Ashes Test at Sydney.
Ahead of a tri-nation series in the West Indies, Khawaja looked back upon the harsh times of his cricketing career.
He failed to impress in the initial stage of his international career and was dropped subsequently.
But, that did not weigh down on the left-handed batsman. In 2014, a knee injury which he received just a few weeks after Phil Hughes' on-field death, ruled him out for six months.
“We obviously lost Hughesy and I did my knee in the space of two weeks, so it was a pretty rough time,” said Khawaja.
However, Khawaja made a remarkable comeback in the international arena with a staggering 174 and 9-not out in a Test against New Zealand at Brisbane in November 2015 and from that point there was no looking back for the striker.
He entered the triple digits thrice after his comeback in the longer version of the game and has maintained an average of 101.85 since November last year.
Khawaja managed to cement his place in the Australian lineup in all three formats after he captained Australia ‘A’ in 2015 during their tour of India.
In the two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) this year, Khawaja has scored 50 and 44 against New Zealand.
Khawaja’s phenomenal run in Australia’s domestic T20 competition, Big Bash League (BBL), earned him a place in the Australian T20I side this year.
He scored 143 runs in four matches, including a fifty, at a strike rate of 137.
In four BBL matches for Sydney Thunders, the Islamabad-born scored 345 runs at a massive average of 172.5. His 40-ball 70 in the final bagged Thunders their first ever BBL title.
Khawaja fires in Big Bash
Comments (37)
Why o why we need to wear our religions on our sleeves? Be it Inzi and the co or other Pakistani diaspora playing in foriegn teams, this should not be the show or a matter of pride, false pride that is. Hashim Amla and Moeen Ali are the only two players who do not show off their religion by talking about it, performing sajedah or leading prayers at the grounds. Why the rest can't players like these two gentleman anf let their game be the real show?
Alhamdulillah he will become one of the great
I hope he only prays and does not join one of those militant groups which really pray a lot. Then we all would need to say that he doesn't represent our religion and that he is misguided etc etc.
@Ahmer: I do not understand where is the problem here. First thing it appears from the article that he must have been asked a question to which he responded. Its not like he is carrying a banner of religiosity every time he steps into the field. I have not seen him doing anything religeous while in the field. If he wants to have a connection with God and continue to be a top professional, whats wrong with that ?
@Ahmer - If somebody asked him a question about what he believes is his source of strength and he gave his honest opinion, so what is wrong with that? If people are proud of wrong things why not be proud of good etiquette and good practices? Sportsmen have been accused of doing very bad things, I think this is a change for the better.
Ahmer, why o why do you get agitated if he wants to tell everyone that he prays. It's something that is clearly working for him. He has mentioned praying, not the type, level and frequency of prayer. Get a grip.
Kneww injury cannot be in 2004, i guess it was 2014. Usman Khawaja is an exceptional talent and he makes batting look so easy in Australian tracks where his fellow native (Pakistani) batsmen struggle to bat properly.
@Ahmer: Hashim Amla and Moeen Ali both keep a long beard, but I got your point that they do not show off their religion. But how you judged Usman Khawaja is showing off when he is just simply answering what is the reason for his recent success. You want him to lie to that question and say something else which he may not believe? Don't be so judgmental
@analyses Pakistan hasn't had a series in Australia in 7 years, other than Younis and Misbah, none of them have played a Test there. Considering how flat the pitches were last year, Pakistan might actually do well.
Nothing is wrong with it as long as you do not look down upon others who are not muslims. All faiths are important. West Indies team used to pray together as a team in the dressing room ( as captain Sammy told during his T20 final 2016 prize collection ceremony). It is a boost for those who believe. But religious hypocracy is really a bad thing to practice.
@mumtaz shah Ur a legend. Why can't the world full of people like you
Great Man
Yes oraying certainly helps to calm down our mind and get more outouts. Try Pranayama and yoga and see the benefit getting doubled.
Prayers-his success is thus the proof just like Hashim Amla. Our team spends more time at the night clubs, invitations....
Oh that is your secret,just like Ahmed Shehzad...lol
That is perfectly alright as long as you do not demonstrate your affiliation by kneeling, kissing the ground, or start praying upon reaching a hundred. One can acknowledge the crowd by waving the bat but some of these Pakistani players act like they just stepped out of a maddresah. Do all your praying in the locker room, after you step in the field you are just a human being out there to demonstrate your ability, not a Muslim, Christian or Hindu.
@ Masood Don't judge because you don't know why these guys are doing what they are doing. Hashim, Moeen and Khwaja are great role models not only to muslims but non muslims also.
So, he wasn't praying when he wasn't scoring runs?
@Faizan Qureshi "Great Man"
What's so great?
@Ahmer Society and Culture Plays here. Our sportsmen have this habit by instinct and what is harm in this act? Even non Muslim players can be seen thanking to their gods and you will see many winners looking towards the sky and doing cross gestures in this coming Olympic .
@uchak no he has no plans to join shivsena.
@ Masood is that your real name?
@khan143 you are correct...
@Ahmer u r right religions and faiths should be kept away when u enter the ground. When u r playing in the ground cricket should be the only faith that one should follow
@analyses What a narrow and negative mindset you people have. You can't even appreciate some one properly. Even in that you try to find a negative angle for Pakistan. How shallow you are from inside.
It is matter of self-belief, which everyone may have different, so nothing is wrong. There is certainly a link between God and the people, but everyone explains it in different ways.
and this is news
I remember when Yousaf Yohanna ( now Mohammad Yousaf) used to make cross on his chest. He found pleasure and protection in that.
@Ahmer ...because our religion is a way of life....you see and appreciate so many other people literally wearing their life beliefs on their shoulders, neck, backs and all the other places on their bodies and display them too( Tattoos)
@Talha ...just because he prays?
@Ahmer great questions. agree..
@Ahmer Had he answered the question by saying ... because I do lots of meditation or I practice Yoga or I take long walks etc etc to get my mind back on the game then you would have no problem BUT because he uttered the word pray and you have an issue with it. So sad to see this mindset from Muslims. Yes agreed what Pakistani players do is over the top with sajdas etc but what is wrong with saying I pray to keep me focused. Even Hashim Amla credits his prayers for his on field calm attitude.
Pakistanis excel everywhere and in all fields. Well done Khawaja.
@Ahmer religion is a good thing, distorting it into misguided militancy is a bad thing.
Even with all the good statistics, he has no permanent future in Australian cricket team. He is not white. Just compare his statistics with the blue eyed boy Smith, who is now a captain. Smith even managed to elbow out Clarke, who is also white and an accomplished batsman and captain.
Usman Khawaja is one of the best and classy players of modern era that I have seen. he seemed very talented from the beginning that I started following him. Delight to watch when he gets going in tests.
Prayer has nothing to do with success in sports.