‘I love my wife, I ain’t falling for this question’: Usman Khawaja opens up about wife Rachel

What was the question Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja wouldn’t answer about his beautiful wife Rachel?

Usman Khawaja helps wife Rachel at the 2023 Australian Cricket Awards at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Australian Test cricket opener Usman Khawaja and his wife Rachel take us inside their relationship and the moment they realised they were in love.

Usman Khawaja, 37

Profession: Dadda (and Australian cricketer)

Rachel Khawaja, 28

Profession: Mummy

Years together: Nine years; married seven years

Children: Aisha, 3, and Ayla, 2

How did you meet?

Rachel: We met through our mutual friend, Josh. Uzzy played club cricket with him – he was also MC at our wedding and remains a good friend. He double-booked us one night so we both ended up going and catching up with him, and the rest
is history.

Usman and Rachel Khawaja say communication is the key.

What was the first thing you noticed about each other?

Usman: Her eyes. Rachel has the most striking blue eyes I have ever seen. I just remember seeing her for the first time and not believing how beautiful she was. But I wasn’t sure what kind of girl she was, so I sat back and watched her, quietly sussing her out. You can’t learn too much on meeting a girl for the first time but you can pick up a thing or two. She only got more beautiful the more I looked at her.

Rachel: Uzzy was very quiet and mysterious sitting on his couch just watching, listening and taking it all in. I thought he was quite shy at first but I quickly realised that wasn’t true. Also of course I thought he was quite good-looking, not going to lie.

When did you first know it was love?

Usman: I knew after a few weeks, I think. The more time I spent with her and the more we learnt about each other, the more I knew she was the one. I had never felt that way about anyone before. The feelings got stronger and stronger for me at an extremely fast pace.

Rachel: It was around Christmas time, Uzzy was injured and so we ending up spending a lot of time together, getting to know one another better and during that time we discovered we had very similar family values and a lot of similar interests in what we valued and wanted in life.

What was your most standout date?

Usman: The first date was nice. Just a simple dinner finished off with a game of putt-putt at Victoria Park. Always a great night when I can mix food and golf together!

Rachel: Our first date is always a standout in my eyes as it was the start of our journey, but in terms of the most special one, it would have to be the night we got engaged in Central Park, New York.

Usman and Rachel Khawaja.

What is the most romantic thing your partner has ever done for you?

Usman: Definitely the NYC proposal. I flew Rachel over, pretending it was for her birthday which I missed because I was overseas playing cricket. She had no idea it was coming.

Rachel: Probably our proposal in New York. Uzzy had organised a horse and carriage ride around Central Park and then he proposed halfway through which was extremely special and romantic.

What is the secret to a happy marriage?

Usman: Happy wife, happy life. And communication. Don’t just let time fix issues. Talk and work it out as a team.

Rachel: Communication and honesty. This is even more true for Uzzy and myself as he is away so much, so communication is key.

Who puts the bins out?

Usman: Me, of course!

Rachel: Uzzy when he’s home – but me all the other times, which is most of the time!

Rachel and Usman Khawaja.

What is the thing you argue the most about? My time allocation. I’m away a lot, so I have to make extra time when I’m back. Which I love doing for my family. But it means less golf.

Rachel: Golf … mainly time management. Uzzy is so busy with work and other commitments it’s hard to find quality family time, especially when you add in his love for golf.

What do you find the most annoying about each other?

Usman: Her lack of patience.

Rachel: Uzzy can’t do two things at once so if he’s reading something on his phone or

thinking he is a million miles away!

Who does the most cooking?

Usman: Wifey, for sure.

Rachel: Me, by a landslide.

How has having children affected your relationship?

Usman: You don’t realise how much spare time you had until you have children. I have to be much more structured and make sure I use my time as efficiently as possible.

Rachel: My life has changed almost completely. On the flip side, Uz does sacrifice a lot of time at home with the kids to provide for us which is difficult for him.

Usman Khawaja with wife Rachel and daughters Aisha and Ayla during day five of the Third Test match in the series between Australia and South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2023. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Biggest relationship challenge you’ve been through?

Usman: We are from different cultures and religions. Being really open and honest right from when we first met has been the most amazing thing and the most challenging because some of these topics can be hard to discuss for both of us.

Rachel: Early on we had to discuss a lot of really intense topics and I made the decision to convert to Islam around the time of our marriage. So that was definitely a big step – not necessarily a challenge, but a big hurdle that required a lot of delicate conversations. But overall, we have been lucky not to have faced too many serious challenges, however anything that does come our way we have been able to tackle together head-on.

Three things that irritate you about each other?

Usman: I love my wife, she is the best. Did I mention I love my wife? I ain’t falling for this question. Trap!

Rachel: Uzzy’s inability to do more than one thing at a time. His lack of taking initiative with the little things (cleaning, things with the girls). He is super messy in the house; he leaves his shoes everywhere!

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja with wife Rachel and daughter Aisha, one.

Three things that you love about each other?

Usman: Her care for me and the girls. She is very family-orientated, with both hers, our and my family. The way she has embraced her new religion, way of life and continues to learn and grow into a mother and caretaker of the family is one of my favourite things to watch.

Rachel: I love how passionate and determined he is, he doesn’t let anything get in his way. I love how he takes care of me and the girls; he always puts us first. I love how he isn’t afraid to stand up for what he believes in.

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