All posts tagged: Usman Khawaja

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

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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. …

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

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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

Published by Webster

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, …

Jason Gillespie reacts to Usman Khawaja’s comments about preparation and playing golf ahead of first Ashes Test at Perth

Jason Gillespie reacts to Usman Khawaja’s comments about preparation and playing golf ahead of first Ashes Test at Perth

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Former Australian paceman Jason Gillespie said that he experienced “a tinge of disappointment” watching Usman Khawaja’s press conference on Friday, where he announced he would retire after the fifth and final Ashes Test at Sydney. Gillespie referenced the criticism from some quarters surrounding Khawaja’s golf hit prior to the Ashes opener at Perth as being valid. “I’m not questioning the racism that Usman has faced throughout his life,” he told ABC Sport. “I’ve actually always admired him and applauded him for speaking up because racism is a big stain on our society, and it always needs to be called out. He referenced racism when he was talking about the criticism that he received. A few former players came out and quite rightly questioned whether that [playing golf] was the best possible preparation.” “Being questioned over that and being held to account over your choices, that’s not bullying, it’s not abuse, that’s all part and parcel of being a professional. You can’t really throw a temper tantrum when asked to take accountability for the job you’re …

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja announces retirement | Cricket News

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja announces retirement | Cricket News

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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

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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 

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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

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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 …

Jason Gillespie reacts to Usman Khawaja’s comments about preparation and playing golf ahead of first Ashes Test at Perth

‘I could’ve retired two years ago but…’: Australia opener Usman Khawaja on retirement talks | Cricket News

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With 6055 runs in 85 Tests at an average of 43.56, Usman Khawaja remains one of the best openers to have played for Australia. With a double hundred in Sri Lanka this year, Khawaja has scored 463 runs this year before he missed the second Ashes Test at Brisbane. Due to back spasms With the 38-year-old opener now being named in the Australian squad for the third Test at Adelaide starting Wednesday, Khawaja is expected to play in the 86th Test of his career. With some talks happening about his retirement amid his average since 2023 Ashes being 31.84, Khawaja has shared how the talks don’t faze him and how he could have retired two years ago but is still valued by the Australian team. “It doesn’t really faze me. As much as people sometimes want to have a crack at me, I love playing for Australia, I’m still very committed, still every game I take the same way as I took 10 years ago – train hard, do everything right. For me, it’s irrelevant …