Rawalpindiz, one of the two new franchises in the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), have signed Australian veteran Usman Khawaja as Laurie Evans’ replacement.
The franchise confirmed the acquisition through its official social media handles, welcoming the experienced left-handed batter to a squad preparing for its debut season.
Khawaja, with extensive T20 experience, has played 121 matches, scoring more than 3,400 runs at an average of 30.35, maintaining a strike rate of 131.32 in multiple domestic and international leagues.
He has competed in Australia’s Big Bash League, England’s Vitality Blast, and the Indian Premier League, bringing valuable knowledge and stability to Rawalpindiz’s newly-formed batting unit for the PSL debut.
The left-hander is also familiar with the PSL, representing Islamabad United in 2021, where he scored 246 runs in seven matches at an average of 49.20, striking at over 150.
PSL 11 will feature eight teams, including Rawalpindiz and Hyderabad Kingsmen, competing in 44 matches across 39 days, marking the tournament’s largest edition with two additional franchises joining the league.
Preparations for the competition have been revised, with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirming the event will now take place across only Karachi and Lahore, with matches conducted behind closed doors without spectators.
Rawalpindiz Complete Squad
| Mohammad Rizwan | Sam Billings | Jalat Khan |
| Yasir Khan | Naseem Shah | Rishad Hossain |
| Daryl Mitchell | Mohammad Amir | Cole McConchie |
| Abdullah Fazal | Amad Butt | Dian Forrester |
| Usman Khawaja | Asif Afridi | Kamran Ghulam |
| Fawad Ali | Mohammad Amir Khan | Shahzaib Khan |
| Saad Masood |
Last week, PCB reduced venues from eight to two for the PSL season, citing government austerity measures and rising fuel costs affecting operations nationwide.
The matches originally scheduled across six cities including Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan and Peshawar will now be held only in Lahore and Karachi instead.
Mohsin Naqvi said matches will be played without crowds until regional conflict continues, while the tournament will begin as scheduled on March 26.
Naqvi added travel will be reduced by limiting matches to two cities and confirmed there will be no opening ceremony due to these austerity measures.
Naqvi said decisions were taken after consulting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, adding the PCB would compensate franchises for losses caused by absence of gate revenue.
He confirmed ticket holders would receive refunds within 72 hours, while recalling similar no crowd matches were previously held during 2020 and 2021 seasons.
