ICC World Test Championship 2021-23: Decoding Usman Khawaja's emphatic numbers
Veteran Australian batter Usman Khawaja has been enjoying a dream run of form with the bat since making a return to the side for the fourth Ashes Test in January 2022. Khawaja, who had replaced Travis Head, scored twin centuries in the fourth Test. In the ongoing Test series versus Pakistan, Khawaja has been scoring freely. We decode his numbers.
Why does this story matter?
Khawaja has shown his credentials in Tests since making a return to the side. He has been scoring consistently, being a pillar of this Aussie side. Australia top the scenes in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. Khawaja will be backed to play a pivotal role. He has already climbed up the runs chart in the WTC 2021-23 cycle to impress largely.
Khawaja dazzled in the fourth Ashes Test
Khawaja made a stunning return, slamming twin centuries in the fourth Ashes Test. He scored 137 and 101* for the Aussies. With twin centuries in an Ashes Test, Khawaja became just the ninth player to achieve this mark. Khawaja also became just the third player to register a century in both innings of a Test match at the SCG.
Khawaja has been superb versus Pakistan
Khawaja has been in prime form versus Pakistan in the ongoing three-match series. He scored 97 in the first Test and followed it up with knocks of 160 and 44*. In the first innings of the third Test, Khawaja slammed 91 from 219 balls. Overall, he has 392 runs in this series at an average of 130.66.
WTC 2021-23: Khawaja is the second-highest scorer
In the WTC 2021-23 cycle, Khawaja is placed second in terms of runs scored. He has notched 647 runs at a sensational average of 107.83. Khawaja has slammed three centuries and two fifties from five Tests so far. He is only behind England's Joe Root in terms of runs scored (1,170). He is also one of the three players with 600-plus runs.
Khawaja's overall Test stats and performance versus Pakistan
Khawaja has registered 3,534 runs in Test cricket at 45.89. He has notched 11 tons and 16 fifties so far with the best score of 174. In eight Tests versus Pakistan, the southpaw has hammered a total of 888 runs at 88.80. He has two tons and six fifties versus Pakistan. Against England as well, Khawaja has managed 800-plus runs.
