Usman Khawaja’s Explosive Exit Statement Puts Australian Cricket Under Spotlight

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Usman Khawaja’s retirement press conference has triggered widespread debate after he alleged racism and Islamophobia within Australian cricket. The upcoming fifth and final Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be Usman Khawaja's last international game. 

Usman Khawaja Retirement

The 39-year-old announced on Friday (January 2, 2026), two days ahead of the final Ashes Test. While addressing the reporters, the opener didn't hold back as he went after former players and the media for their double standards. He cited the example of the first Ashes Test at the Perth Stadium in Perth. 

The opening batter suffered a back spasm midway through the Test, which prevented him from opening the batting in the second innings, paving the way for Travis Head to take the role. Khawaja minced no words as he hit out at the way the back injury he suffered in the series opener was reported and received.

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Khawaja, Guilty of Playing Golf? 

Several former cricketers then criticised Khawaja for letting his team down, and the topic of his playing golf on the eve of the game was also raised. The batter ended up missing the next Test at Brisbane; however, he made his way into the playing for the third match, but it was all because of Steve Smith's last-minute injury.

“When I did my back, I had back spasms, it was something I couldn’t control. The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me. I copped it for about five days straight. Everyone was piling in. Once the racial stereotypes came in, of me being lazy, it was things I’ve dealt with my whole life.”

“Pakistani, West Indian, and coloured players. We’re selfish, we only care about ourselves, we don’t care about the team, we don’t train hard enough," Khawaja told reporters.

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“I just thought the media and old players and everyone else had moved past them, but we obviously haven’t moved past them. All these things came back and made me realise we’re not quite there. I can give you a countless number of guys who have played golf the day before and been injured, and you guys (media) haven’t said a thing. I can give you even more guys who have had 15 schooners (beer) the night before, then got injured, and no one’s said a word. That’s alright, they’re just being Aussie larrikins, just being lads," he added.

“When I get injured, everyone went at my credibility and who I am as a person. Normally when someone gets injured, you feel sorry for them as a person. ‘Poor Josh Hazlewood’ or ‘poor Nathan Lyon’. We feel sorry for them and we don’t attack what happened to them," said Khawaja.

Khawaja on Islamophobia in Australia 

“I know I’m here talking about topics and people will say, ‘Uzzie’s here, he’s playing the race card again’. I know people are trying to nail me. But don’t gaslight me. Where we are at today, Islamophobia is still very rife. I speak about it. I didn’t want to talk about this, but I just want the journey for the next Usman Khawaja to be different," Khawaja added.

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“When I was younger, people asked me where I’m from, and I was too embarrassed to say Pakistan because we were curry munchers, so I’d say Saudi Arabia,” Khawaja recalled.

The opener said, “They had no sledges for Saudi Arabia, so I was good. Being a Western Sydney boy in the 1990s, I heard some stuff. I can’t say it here, but I copped a lot, a lot of racial vilification during that time.”

Usman Khawaja’s Struggle

When Khawaja made his debut in 2011, he didn't feel he belonged there and tried to act and dress in a certain way to become more acceptable. 

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“I tried so hard to fit into the Australian cricket team,” he said.

“I was trying to dress like all the boys. I was going out with them to the clubs, even though I didn’t drink. I tried all that, and it just didn’t work. I still kept getting dropped from the Australian cricket team. I get it. My name isn’t John Smith. When the 50-50 calls happen, they’re just not going my way.”

Final Thoughts

Khawaja is the first Pakistan-born and Muslim cricketer to ever play for Australia. Khawaja has gathered 6,206 runs in Test cricket with 16 centuries, averaging 43.39. He smashed a career-high 232 against Sri Lanka a year ago, but has not made three figures since. Khawaja also played 40 one-dayers and nine Twenty20 internationals.

Khawaja’s explosive exit has stripped away the polished image of Australian cricket, exposing cracks many have long whispered about. Whether Cricket Australia responds or remains silent, Khawaja’s words ensure these issues can no longer be brushed aside.

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