Usman Khawaja, Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer, announces international retirement after SCG fixture on Jan 4; slams racial stereotyping and scrutiny he faced during 15-year international career
Usman Khawaja with his wife Rachel, daughters Aisha (left) and Ayla at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. Pics/Getty Images
Usman Khawaja said on Friday he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and final Ashes clash against England, leaving a legacy as Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer while lashing out at perceived “racial stereotyping” during his 15-year career.
The 39-year-old will pad up for the last time, should he be selected, when the Test gets under way in Sydney on Sunday. “The number one emotion is contentment. I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. “I hope I have inspired people along the way. I’m a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for the Australian cricket team. Look at me now, and you can do the same,” he added.
Khawaja immigrated to Australia from Islamabad as a child, battling the odds to become the country’s first Pakistan-born, and first Muslim, national player.
Khawaja injured his back in the first Test in Perth. Khawaja did not feature in the next match at Brisbane and was omitted from the team for the third Test in Adelaide, only to get a lifeline when Steve Smith dropped out ill just before the toss. “I’m glad I get to leave on my own terms, with a little bit of dignity, and go out at the SCG where I love,” he said, while expressing frustration at how he was treated.
“When I did my back [in Perth], I hurt my back and had back spasms and it was something I couldn’t control. The way the media and past players came out and attacked me. I could have copped it for a couple of days but it went on for five days. The way everyone came out at me about my preparation, ‘he’s not committed to the team. Only worried about himself. Playing a golf competition. He’s selfish, he didn’t train hard enough. He’s lazy’. These are the same racial stereotypes [I thought we had moved past].
“But obviously we haven’t fully moved past that. I haven’t seen anyone treated like that in the Australian cricket team before,” he said. Khawaja also played 40 ODIs and nine T20Is.
6206
No. of runs scored by Usman Khawaja in 87 Tests @ 43.39
232
Khawaja’s career-best Test score, against Sri Lanka in Galle last January. In doing so, he became the first Australian to score a double century in the island nation
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
