Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
Family, fried chicken, and the F1…these are just a few of Uzzy’s favourite things. Below is 5 things you may not have known about the ‘People’s Champ’:
1. He’s a qualified pilot
This man can really do it all. Before Uzzy made his Australian Test debut, he studied a Bachelor of Aviation at the University of New South Wales and earnt his commercial pilot’s licence. In fact, he even had his basic pilot’s licence before he received his driver’s licence.
2. He’s a huge NBA fan
Uzzy loves all kinds of sports from tennis, golf, to the F1…but nothing excites him more than the NBA. At the top of Uzzy’s bucket list is to attend a Lakers game to see the great Lebron James play in person. He even called his much-loved Cavalier King Charles puppy Lebron!
3. Uzzy’s favourite musician is Drake
Uzzy loves most genres of music, but nothing gets him up and about as much as Drake. His favourite pump-up song by Drake is Nonstop. Aside from Drizzy, he also loves a bit of old school rock like Guns N’ Roses and Slash.
4. He looooves fried chicken
Uzzy’s favourite comfort food is fried chicken, with smoked meats in general at a close second. He’s often spotted enjoying a feed at Barbeque Mafia in Coorparoo which is his favourite place to eat in Brisbane.
5. He has his own Foundation
Something very close to Usman’s heart is the Usman Khawaja Foundation which gives kids from refugee, immigrant, Indigenous, rural, remote, and low-socioeconomic backgrounds the chance to play cricket and receive educational support. As the first Muslim and Pakistani-born Australian to receive a baggy green, Khawaja is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in sport and providing pathways in cricket for disadvantaged youth.
Name of Author: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat are an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL), representing both men’s and women’s cricket. Based in Brisbane, Queensland, the Heat succeeded the Queensland Bulls, who played in the former KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. The team wears a teal uniform and plays at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, known as The Gabba.