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Khawaja Signs For Brisbane Heat After Sydney Thunder Stint

Australia star Usman Khawaja has signed a four-year deal with Brisbane Heat.  The opener is all set to captain his new club in the upcoming season after he left Sydney Thunder citing family reasons. Khawaja has been living with his family in Queensland and will see this move as a sort of homecoming for him. He has also been the captain of Queensland in the Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup. However, he continued to remain associated with Thunder till the end of the previous season.

Also Read: Eoin Morgan Announces Retirement From International Cricket

The Australian openers’ move does not come as a surprise as Khawaja had announced his departure from Thunder way back in February. He has been a vital member of Sydney Thunder since the inception of Big Bash League (BBL) in 2011-12. Khawaja ‘s new contract with Brisbane Heat will see him remain with them till he is 39 years old.

Check Out this Tweet by Khawaja

Extremely excited to be headed home to the Brisbane heat! Brisbane and QLD mean so much to me. Looking forward to working towards something special and having a bit of fun along the way 👊🏾 🏏 #heat #brisbane #home https://t.co/BfVHplMy5x

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) June 29, 2022

The Aussie star shared a heartfelt note speaking how it was “the toughest call” he made to switch alliances in the BBL. He said, “I always thought I would finish off as a Thunder player, but it is funny how things change. I’ve said it for a long time, that Brisbane is home. Queensland is home, and to be here, captain of Queensland, and now joining the Heat – it is really exciting.”

Khawaja added, “I know I will be playing in front of my family, and a home crowd when I am at the Gabba or Metricon Stadium with the Heat. I love the Thunder and the Thunder Nation, but at the same time, this is a change that comes at the right time.”

The Australian opener also expressed his excitement on leading his new team in the upcoming season of Australia’s domestic competition. He shared,“ It wasn’t an easy decision, it was a very tough one, but the timing just feels right. I like to say I used to be an honorary Queensland and now I am one. I do love playing in the BBL and now I am with the Heat for the coming years, I am very excited.”

Khawaja has been named as the Heat’s captain for the upcoming season. However, the Aussie star will not be to lead the side as he will not be available in the first part of the campaign. Khawaja will be on national duty and will likely to rejoin the BBL team after the Test series against South Africa. He could return in the second week of January with the BBL season likely to run until the end of that month.

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