Rising Pune Supergiants sign Usman Khawaja

Omnisports 08:09 - 29 April 2016

Add Pulse as a preferred source on Google

___4831992___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___4831992___2016___4___29___13___usmankhawaja-cropped_1tohh1ljtr55s1roulxqlthe27_2

Injury-hit Indian Premier League new boys Rising Pune Supergiants have signed Australia batsman Usman Khawaja.

Pune's debut season in the IPL has been disrupted by the loss of Kevin Pietersen and Faf du Plessis due to a calf injury and broken finger respectively.

The Supergiants have acted by recruiting left-hander Khawaja, who was outstanding in Sydney Thunder's Big Bash League triumph this year and has also starred since earning a recall at international level.

"One of our mainstays Du Plessis has injured his finger during the course of the last match and has returned to South Africa for further treatment," Supergiants coach Stephen Fleming said in a statement.

"We are glad to have roped in Usman Khawaja in the team. His presence will definitely be an advantage to the team and could be pivotal in bolstering the position of the side in the tournament.

"His imperious form for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League victory last season and being the leading run-scorer for Australia, for the recently-concluded World T20, has made us sit up and notice.