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SYDNEY: Australian opener Usman Khawaja has spoken candidly about the “racial stereotyping” he says followed him throughout his 15-year international career, as he announced his impending retirement from Test cricket.
Khawaja revealed on Friday, during a press conference, that the upcoming fifth Ashes Test in Sydney will be his final appearance in Australian colours.
The 39-year-old used the occasion to reflect on the challenges he faced as Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer and one of the few players of South Asian heritage to represent the country at the highest level.
“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.”
Born in Islamabad and raised in Australia from a young age, Khawaja said he was once told he would never represent Australia, let alone enjoy a long Test career.
“I’m a proud Muslim, coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for the Australian cricket team,” he said. “Look at me now, and you can do the same.”
Usman Khawaja acknowledged that his willingness to speak out on social and political issues had often made him a target of criticism, but insisted that remaining silent was never an option.
“I call myself the people’s champ, not because I think everyone loves me, but because I speak about things for the people that other people don’t want to speak about,” he said.
He also addressed the backlash he has faced when raising concerns about race, suggesting that discussions around discrimination are frequently dismissed or trivialised.
“I know why I get nailed a lot of the time. I understand that I’ve talked about certain issues outside of cricket, which leaves me exposed, and a lot of people don’t like it,” Khawaja said.
“I know I’m here talking about topics and people will say, ‘Uzzie’s here, he’s playing the race card again.’ Don’t gaslight me. This stuff happens all the time, we see it, and we just don’t talk about it.”
Usman Khawaja stressed that his aim was not to seek sympathy, but to make the path easier for future cricketers from diverse backgrounds.
“I didn’t want to talk about this, but I just want the journey for the next Usman Khawaja to be different,” he said. “I want him or her to be treated the same, not have racial stereotypes over who they might be.”
In 2023, Khawaja was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for wearing a black armband during Australia’s first Test against Pakistan, a gesture he said was intended to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.
READ: Confident Usman eyes World Cup glory under Mike Hesson
