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Loyalties are set to be divided in Usman Khawaja's family after the talented NSW batsman earned Australian Test squad selection on Tuesday.
Sure, his relatives couldn't be more proud of the classy left-hander following his promotion to the 14-man squad along with paceman Ben Hilfenhaus for next month's two-Test series against Pakistan in England.
But even Pakistan-born Khawaja wasn't certain who his family based on the sub-continent would be rooting for if he earned a baggy green in the UK.
"Hopefully me," the 23-year-old laughed.
"My grandmother's there (Pakistan) on my mum's side.
"I haven't gone back there for about four years, but I have a few (relatives) up there.
"I haven't thought about it (family loyalties) like that.
"I am just very happy being in the squad."
A qualified pilot, Khawaja was on cloud nine when told he had held out the challenge of Tasmania's George Bailey to snap up the squad vacancy left by injured NSW teammate Phil Hughes (shoulder).
Perhaps the only man happier was his cricket-mad dad Tariq who encouraged his son to play the game after the family moved from Islamabad to Sydney when Khawaja was three.
"I woke him up this morning and told him I was in the squad - he was really happy," he said in Brisbane on Tuesday.
"I was really excited - I just had to tell someone."
While born in Pakistan, Khawaja had posters of Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne on his bedroom wall as a kid.
And now a baggy green is on the cards.
But entry into a more elite club also looms - Khawaja is poised to become the first Muslim to play cricket for Australia.
Not that he wanted to dwell on the significance.
"When I first got told that I was going over to England today that didn't even cross my mind," he said.
"It doesn't cross my mind until someone brings it up.
"I am around the boys all the time and I never once ever feel like I am different.
"When I was a kid I dreamed of going on tour but I am not looking too far ahead - if I just carry the drinks the whole time, it doesn't really bother me.
"It's just exciting to be around Punter (skipper Ricky Ponting) - I have never met him."
Khawaja had been warming up for the tour by playing for Australia A in a four-day match series against Sri Lanka A, alongside fellow call-up Hilfenhaus.
The swing bowler came back from almost seven months out with knee tendonitis with a bang, snaring 5-28 for Australia A in Brisbane on Monday.
Sure, his relatives couldn't be more proud of the classy left-hander following his promotion to the 14-man squad along with paceman Ben Hilfenhaus for next month's two-Test series against Pakistan in England.
But even Pakistan-born Khawaja wasn't certain who his family based on the sub-continent would be rooting for if he earned a baggy green in the UK.
"Hopefully me," the 23-year-old laughed.
"My grandmother's there (Pakistan) on my mum's side.
"I haven't gone back there for about four years, but I have a few (relatives) up there.
"I haven't thought about it (family loyalties) like that.
"I am just very happy being in the squad."
A qualified pilot, Khawaja was on cloud nine when told he had held out the challenge of Tasmania's George Bailey to snap up the squad vacancy left by injured NSW teammate Phil Hughes (shoulder).
Perhaps the only man happier was his cricket-mad dad Tariq who encouraged his son to play the game after the family moved from Islamabad to Sydney when Khawaja was three.
"I woke him up this morning and told him I was in the squad - he was really happy," he said in Brisbane on Tuesday.
"I was really excited - I just had to tell someone."
While born in Pakistan, Khawaja had posters of Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne on his bedroom wall as a kid.
And now a baggy green is on the cards.
But entry into a more elite club also looms - Khawaja is poised to become the first Muslim to play cricket for Australia.
Not that he wanted to dwell on the significance.
"When I first got told that I was going over to England today that didn't even cross my mind," he said.
"It doesn't cross my mind until someone brings it up.
"I am around the boys all the time and I never once ever feel like I am different.
"When I was a kid I dreamed of going on tour but I am not looking too far ahead - if I just carry the drinks the whole time, it doesn't really bother me.
"It's just exciting to be around Punter (skipper Ricky Ponting) - I have never met him."
Khawaja had been warming up for the tour by playing for Australia A in a four-day match series against Sri Lanka A, alongside fellow call-up Hilfenhaus.
The swing bowler came back from almost seven months out with knee tendonitis with a bang, snaring 5-28 for Australia A in Brisbane on Monday.
