Usman Khwaja to lead Brisbane Heat after signing 4-year contract

In an interesting move from Australia’s Big Bash League, Usman Khwaja signed up with the Brisbane Heat team after he left his former team Sydney Thunder in February. The 35-year-old batter left the franchise citing family reasons as his family resides in Brisbane.

Usman Khwaja has signed a 4-year contract with the franchise and will take up the role of captain for the Brisbane Heat as he has led the Thunder as well. He has been with the Thunder team since the start of the BBL in 2011-2012. He was the key player to help Sydney Thunder to clinch their first ever BBL title in 2015-2016.

In that season, Khwaja smashed 104* and 70 in the semi-final and final, respectively.

He will lead the Heat in the next BBL season but will be unavailable for the first part of the season due to his Australia Test duties.

Khwaja is Queensland’s Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup captain but was associated with the Thunder.

On the development, Khwaja 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.”