Usman Khawaja can transform himself from “classical” five-day Test batsman to aggressive T20 master blaster, according to Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris.
The county’s decision to sign Australian Khawaja for their T20 Vitality Blast campaign has raised eyebrows as he is better known as a longer form specialist, who has played in 33 Tests but only 18 one-day internationals and nine T20 internationals.
Khawaja has played in the Australian T20 Big Bash competition and averaged 32 but he is better known for the longer, more patient innings, such as the 171 he made against England in the fifth Test in Sydney in January.
But Morris insisted: “Despite his classical style he is a very destructive batsman who can dominate any bowling attack and I’m sure is someone our supporters will look forward to watching this year.
“With his addition to our batting line-up, which already includes Colin Ingram and Shaun Marsh, as well our young Glamorgan players, we have a batting line-up capable of continuing our success in the competition and thrill crowds in Wales.”
Born in Pakistan, left-hander Khawaja, 31, has previously represented Derbyshire and Lancashire and played 33 Tests, 18 one-day internationals and nine T20 internationals since making his Australia debut in 2011.
He will be available for all 14 group matches in the T20 competition that begins in July.
“I’m delighted to have signed for Glamorgan for their Vitality Blast campaign and look forward to the challenge of helping them build on the success they achieved in last year’s competition,” Khawaja told the club’s official website.
“From my point of view, it would be great to be able to take them a step further and bring silverware back to Wales.”
Khawaja is currently honeymooning in the Maldives following his wedding and is not featuring in this year’s IPL.
Australia are due to play five ODIs and a T20 in England in June, before heading to Zimbabwe for a T20 tri-series also featuring Pakistan in July. With Steve Smith and David Warner banned, Khawaja could force his way into the national limited-overs side, with the squad for that tour to be named early in May.