In-form Khawaja showing no signs of slowing down

Khawaja registered his fourth century of the year when he scored an unbeaten 104 for Australia during the second innings of the third Test against Pakistan in Lahore on Thursday and the in-form 35-year-old has now amassed 751 runs in 2022 thus far.

That's more than 350 runs greater than any other Test player has managed this year and his current Test batting average has shot up over the last few months to 47.24.

He is also the first Australia batter to register four centuries in a calendar year since David Warner and Steve Smith did so in 2017 and still has nine more months to try and better the star duo.

Khawaja's rapid rise sees him boast the 18th best Test average by any male Australia batter and has him ahead of former greats Bill Lawry, Ian Chappell, Mark Taylor, Bob Simpson and even ex-coach Justin Langer.

He also has a Test average that is higher than fellow opener Warner (47.20), which is no mean feat given Warner has 24 Test centuries for his country.

It's a dramatic recent run of form for the left-hander, who was on the outer in terms of national selection during 2020 and 2021 as fellow lefty Marcus Harris was preferred, and given a bevy of chances to show his wares at the top of the Australia batting order.

But Khawaja has shone where his predecessor failed and has now scored more half-centuries during the current Pakistan tour (four) than what Harris managed through 14 Test appearances.

That alone has fully justified Khawaja’s return to the national setup and the Pakistan-born Australian is now determined to make the most of his opportunity.

"I know the game can change very quickly so I am just enjoying it — a lot of people say that but I am at a point in my life and my career where it's more about enjoyment than anything else," he said recently.

"Nothing lasts forever, I understand that."

The fact that Khawaja has performed so well in the country of his birth still resonates well with the likeable Queenslander, who continually praises his family for their role in his recent reinvigoration.

"They have been so supportive, I couldn't have asked for any more," Khawaja added.

"I love it because they want Pakistan to win, you can tell they're die-hard Pakistani supporters, but they're very supportive of me."