Usman Khawaja calls out Australian media, ex-players over "discrimination" and unfair treatment
Australian opener Usman Khawaja has made an explosive revelation ahead of his retirement from Test cricket, accusing the Australian media and former players of discriminatory treatment throughout his career due to his race and Muslim background. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Khawaja—who will play his final Test in the fifth Ashes match starting Sunday in Sydney—said he has always felt “a little bit different” and has been “attacked” unfairly compared to other players.
“They attacked me for five days straight”
Khawaja, who will retire after playing his 88th Test for Australia, highlighted a specific incident involving back spasms that left him unable to play, triggering a wave of criticism from media and former players that lasted five days.
“I had back spasms and that is something I could not control. But the way the media and the past players came out and attacked me, I could have copped it for two days, but I copped it for about five days straight,” Khawaja said.
He contrasted the treatment he received with that of other players who faced similar injury issues, suggesting that he was held to a different standard.
“I can give you a countless number of guys who play golf the day before and have been injured,” Khawaja added, implying that other players did not face the same level of scrutiny or criticism when dealing with fitness concerns.
“I have always felt different—I am a coloured cricketer”
Khawaja, who is the first Muslim Test cricketer to represent Australia, opened up about the ongoing discrimination he has faced throughout his career, both on and off the field.
“I have always felt a little bit different, even now. I am a coloured cricketer. The Australian cricket team is, in my opinion, our best team. It is our pride and joy. But I have also felt very different in a lot of respects, different by the way I have been treated, different in how things have happened,” Khawaja said.
He emphasized that while Australian society has made progress, discrimination still exists and he continues to “fight every single day” against it.
“There is still a little bit out there, which I still have to fight every single day, which is the frustrating thing for me,” he said.
A stellar career marred by unfair treatment
Khawaja made his Test debut for Australia in 2011 and has since accumulated over 6,000 runs in 88 Tests, establishing himself as one of the finest opening batters in Australian cricket history. Despite his statistical achievements and consistent performances, he feels he has been treated “differently” compared to other players in the team.
His revelation sheds light on the challenges faced by minority cricketers in what is often seen as a predominantly white sport in Australia, and raises important questions about bias and fairness in media coverage and team culture.
Retirement after Sydney Test
Khawaja will play his final Test in front of his home crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), with the fifth Ashes Test beginning on Sunday, January 4. The match will mark the end of a distinguished career for one of Australia’s most consistent and resilient batters.
His comments have sparked widespread discussion about race, discrimination, and the treatment of minority players in Australian cricket, with many calling for greater accountability and fairness in how players are judged by the media and public.