All posts tagged: Khawaja

Khawaja Asif mocks US’s Hormuz goal as Pakistan offers to mediate talks with Iran: ‘Was open before war’

Khawaja Asif mocks US’s Hormuz goal as Pakistan offers to mediate talks with Iran: ‘Was open before war’

Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday seemed to mock the US’s aim to resume operations at the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway facing disruptions since the start of the US-Iran war a few weeks back. “The goal of the war seems to have shifted to opening the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before the war,” he wrote in a post on X. Khawaja Asif’s remark comes even as Pakistan is trying to position itself of a key role in potential talks between Washington and Tehran. (REUTERS) Asif’s remark comes even as Pakistan is trying to position itself of a key role in potential talks between Washington and Tehran, with reports suggesting Islamabad could be the venue for negotiations. Follow live updates on Iran-US war here. According to news agency Reuters, two officials from Pakistan have said that the US’s ceasefire proposal includes sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, limits on missiles and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Reprieve to India, Pak on Hormuz passage As the US and Israel escalated …

Pakistan ‘like a drama series’: Usman Khawaja in disbelief over news of PCB fining players after T20 World Cup exit | Cricket News

Pakistan ‘like a drama series’: Usman Khawaja in disbelief over news of PCB fining players after T20 World Cup exit | Cricket News

3 min readUpdated: Mar 5, 2026 08:50 PM IST Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja said that he was left in disbelief upon hearing that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fined players for their performance in the T20 World Cup. Khawaja slammed the PCB for the move, stating that it will only put more pressure on the players instead of inspiring them to perform better next time around. “I just heard that the Pakistani players got fined after the T20 World Cup,” Khawaja said in a video that he posted on his Instagram handle. “I mean, I didn’t believe it at first. It’s absolutely amazing that the PCB could think this is a good idea. Sorry, I’m laughing because I can’t believe it,” he added. “Just think, what high-performance team in the entire world, let alone cricket, fines players for losing games? They’re not trying to lose cricket games! How does that even make them perform better next time? All it does is put more pressure and stress onto the players. They’re under enough pressure. …

Usman Khawaja supports Pakistan spinner after teammate Cameron Green mocks bowler’s action | Cricket News

Usman Khawaja supports Pakistan spinner after teammate Cameron Green mocks bowler’s action | Cricket News

2 min readFeb 2, 2026 07:03 PM IST Recently retired Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has defended Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq after countryman and former teammate Cameron Green mocked the bowler for his action. Green, who was dismissed by Tariq in the second T20I international between Pakistan and Australia, was caught on cameras mimicking the action of Tariq. Tariq, who was playing in only his third ever T20I, has a unique action. Green, after being dismissed, was seen on cameras mimicking a baseball throw, similar to how Tariq’s action is. The Pakistani bowler has been accused of ‘chucking’ the ball in the past and has been cleared twice. In an Instagram post, Khawaja defended him and said, “There aren’t many things worse than being called a chucker in cricket,” he said in the post. “The stigma is real. The man is just doing his best and has been cleared twice. “Let’s have some perspective and understanding and stop jumping to conclusions,” he wrote. In the past, Tariq has tried to explain his action and said that …

Steve Smith extends support to Usman Khawaja, says criticism during Perth Test was ‘unfair’ | Cricket News

Steve Smith extends support to Usman Khawaja, says criticism during Perth Test was ‘unfair’ | Cricket News

Australia captain Steve Smith has said that he supports Usman Khawaja’s stand on the criticism the latter received for his preparation for the first Test of the ongoing Ashes in Perth. Khawaja said in a lengthy, and rather fiery, press conference, in which he also announced that he will retire after the upcoming the fifth Ashes Test,  that he felt he was unfairly picked on and that the criticism that came his way for not being able to play in Perth at the start of the series had racist connotations. Khawaja mentioned the the media and former players pointing out that him playing golf didn’t help him prepare for the Perth Test. While Smith chose not to be drawn into commenting on Khawaja speaking about feeling discriminated against on the basis of his identity, he concurred that some of the criticism that came at that point was unfair. “I’m not going into the mind of Usman Khawaja. He’s had a great career,” Smith said in a press conference. “In terms of preparation, I think he’s …

When I get injured, everyone went at my credibility… same racial stereotype I’ve grown up with: Usman Khawaja | Cricket News

When I get injured, everyone went at my credibility… same racial stereotype I’ve grown up with: Usman Khawaja | Cricket News

In an emotional press conference that lasted nearly an hour, Usman Khawaja announced more than just his retirement from international cricket. The Aussie veteran spoke in detail about how he has been treated differently by media and former cricketers, expressing angst about the racial stereotypes he has had to deal with, which he felt was prevalent even in this Ashes. Excerpts from his press conference…. Usman Khawaja I’ve always felt a little bit different, even to now. I am a coloured cricketer. I have felt very differently because of the way I’ve been treated. Something that’s been on my mind, from the start of the series I noticed, when I did my back and had back spasms. It was something I couldn’t control. 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. And it wasn’t even about my performances. It was quite personal, it was about my preparation. Everyone came at me about that, …

Usman Khawaja to Retire After Sydney Test

Usman Khawaja to Retire After Sydney Test

The Australian batter Usman Khawaja has confirmed that he will be retiring from international cricket after the final match of The Ashes 2025/26 at Sydney. The 39-year-old will be playing his last test with 87 caps and 6206 runs, which include 16 centuries. Speaking to the media in the SCG press room, Usman Khawaja said, “I’ve been thinking about it, not wholly, but for a while.” “Moving into this series, I kind of had an inkling in my head that this would be the last series.” “I talked to Rachel [Khawaja’s wife] about it a fair bit, and I knew this was a big chance. I didn’t leave the door fully shut, because I knew there was a chance I could play on. I know [coach] Andrew McDonald, even right till the very end, when I told him a few days ago, he was still thinking about how I could get to India [in 2027].” “I’m glad I get to leave on my own terms, with a little bit of dignity, and go out at the …

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja announces retirement | Cricket News

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja announces retirement | Cricket News

Australian batter Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday. The 39-year-old said the upcoming New Year’s Ashes Test in Sydney will be his final one. “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. Khawaja is a Pakistan-born Muslim who has traveled to Australia and battled the odds, representing the country. “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 said. Ahead of the first Test in Perth, former players and a few pundits were critical of Khawaja as he had sustained a back-injury. The criticism came as the southpaw was seen playing golf leading into the Test. “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 …

Usman Khawaja to address a press conference ahead of 5th Ashes Test amid retirement talk: Reports | Cricket News

Usman Khawaja to address a press conference ahead of 5th Ashes Test amid retirement talk: Reports | Cricket News

Australian batter Usman Khawaja is reportedly set to address a press conference on Friday in Sydney, 48 hours before the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting Sunday. A Sydney Morning Herald report stated that the southpaw will speak to the media at 8:15 a.m. local time, amid speculation about his retirement. Khawaja was picked in Australia’s squad for the series finale and has made scores of 82, 40, 29, and 0 in his last four Test innings. The left-hander has batted in the middle order since the third Test match at Adelaide, with Travis Head preferred to open the batting alongside Jake Weatherald by the management. The pitch wore a green tinge three days before the Test match, with spinner Todd Murphy admitting that he was yet to take a closer look at the surface. “I’ve only seen it from afar, and my eyes obviously aren’t amazing. It’s hard to pick out exactly what it’ll be, and we’re three days out. It looks like there’s a bit of grass on …

Ashes 2025-26 | Usman Khawaja confirmed for Sydney Test: Australia coach McDonald 

Ashes 2025-26 | Usman Khawaja confirmed for Sydney Test: Australia coach McDonald 

Australia head coach and selector Andrew McDonald has confirmed Usman Khawaja will play in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground amid media speculation it could be his last international. The oldest player in an ageing squad, the 39-year-old lefthander’s spot in the line-up is under scrutiny following his demotion down the batting order and as selectors look to the future. With the promoted Travis Head taking his opening spot, Khawaja batted at number four in the third Adelaide Test ‍and ⁠number five in the fourth match in Melbourne. While some reports in Australian media have suggested Sydney could be Khawaja’s last international, McDonald said he had not had any conversations with him about his future. “There’s no indication at my end that he’s calling it in Sydney,” McDonald told reporters in Melbourne on ​Monday. “But his performance in this calendar year has been good ‌enough to warrant selection so I’d say he’ll be there marking centre in Sydney.” Khawaja has not spoken publicly of his plans and returned home to …

‘Probably worse result for England, Travis Head going back down order’: David Warner backs Usman Khawaja to open on return with Head in middle-order role | Cricket News

‘Probably worse result for England, Travis Head going back down order’: David Warner backs Usman Khawaja to open on return with Head in middle-order role | Cricket News

With opener Usman Khawaja being named in the 15-member Australian squad for the third Test of the Ashes series against England, the 38-year-old opener is expected to play in the third Test after missing the second Test at Brisbane due to back spasms suffered in the opening Test. With Travis Head starring in the opener’s role at Brisbane along with Jake Weatherald and Khawaja playing in the addle order in the opening Test, former Australian opener David Warner believes Khawaja should feature in the opener’s role at Adelaide with Head moving down in the batting order. “I think Uzzy (Usman Khawaja) comes back in, slides to the top, and Trav (Head) goes down. That’s probably a worse result for England, Travis Head going back down the order. At the end of the day, Travis put his hand up to bat in the situation he was in. He came out and batted in the way Travis Head does. You see plenty of interviews from Trav (Travis Head) saying that is Uzzy’s spot, and if when the …