Australia opener Usman Khawaja lashed out at perceived “racial stereotyping” throughout his 15-year profession after asserting his retirement from Take a look at cricket.
The 39-year-old will pad up for the final time, ought to he be chosen, when the Take a look at will get underneath means in Sydney on Sunday, ending months of hypothesis about his future.
It will be an 88th Take a look at for the stylish left-hander, culminating a profession the place it started after making his debut on the SCG in 2011, additionally in opposition to England.
“The No 1 emotion is contentment. I’m very fortunate to have performed so many video games for Australia the best way I’ve,” Khawaja mentioned. “I hope I’ve impressed folks alongside the best way.
“I’m a proud Muslim colored boy from Pakistan who was instructed that he would by no means play for the Australian cricket workforce. Take a look at me now, and you are able to do the identical,” he added.
Khawaja immigrated to Australia from Islamabad as a toddler, battling the percentages to turn into the nation’s first Pakistan-born, and first Muslim, nationwide participant.
At one level, he was the one Asian first-class participant in Australia and is credited as a job mannequin who opened doorways for others.
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Khawaja’s basis helps youths from refugee, immigrant, Indigenous, and poor socioeconomic backgrounds by way of introductory cricket applications and academic assist.
Khawaja, a certified pilot, has plundered 6,206 runs in Take a look at cricket with 16 centuries, averaging 43.39. He smashed a career-high 232 in opposition to Sri Lanka a yr in the past, however has not made three figures since.
The present Ashes sequence has been a rollercoaster experience, with the veteran batsman coming underneath scrutiny.
He injured his again within the first Take a look at in Perth and was changed as opener within the second innings by Travis Head who blasted a match-winning century.
Khawaja didn’t function within the subsequent match at Brisbane and was omitted from the workforce for the third Take a look at in Adelaide, solely to get a lifeline when Steve Smith dropped out ailing simply earlier than the toss.
He got here in at No 4 and hit 82 and 40 earlier than making 29 and nought within the fourth Take a look at in Melbourne.
“I’m glad I get to depart alone phrases, with a bit little bit of dignity, and exit on the SCG the place I like,” he mentioned, whereas expressing frustration at how he was handled.
“After I did my again [in Perth], I damage my again and had again spasms and it was one thing I couldn’t management.
“The best way the media and previous gamers got here out and attacked me. I may have copped it for a few days however it went on for 5 days.
“The best way everybody got here out at me about my preparation, ‘he’s not dedicated to the workforce. Solely frightened about himself. Enjoying a golf competitors. He’s egocentric, he didn’t practice exhausting sufficient. He’s lazy’.
“These are the identical racial stereotypes … However clearly we haven’t absolutely moved previous that. I haven’t seen anybody handled like that within the Australian cricket workforce earlier than.”
WATCH: Attacking my religion is private – Khawaja
He however admitted the writing was on the wall in the course of the present Ashes sequence.
“Going into Adelaide after which not being picked initially for that sport was most likely an indication for me to say ‘all proper, it’s time to maneuver on’,” he mentioned.
Khawaja additionally performed 40 ODIs and 9 T2oIs.
– AFP
Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Pictures
