Sydney, 2 January: Usman Khwaja, who announced his retirement from international cricket after the final Test of the Ashes series played in Sydney, has spoken out about racial bias in Australian cricket during his farewell speech.
Khwaja claimed that he faced different treatment throughout his career due to his caste and religion.
Addressing criticism over his three-day golf playing stint before the Perth Test, Khwaja explained that he was unable to open in both innings because of a back strain. He said, “This was something beyond my control. The way the media and former players came out and attacked me was harsh. I could tolerate it for two days, but I endured it for nearly five consecutive days.”
He added, “These are the same racial attitudes I have grown up with all my life. Clearly, we have not completely moved past them, because I have never seen anyone else in the Australian cricket team treated like this. Not by the reckless people who attacked me the way you did.”
Khwaja further stated, “There are still some things I have to fight every day, which is the most disappointing part. I can tell you about countless players who played golf a day before a Test and got injured, but nothing was said about them. I can also tell you about others who drank heavily the night before and then got injured, but not a word was spoken.”
He acknowledged the challenge of securing a spot in the Australian cricket team, saying, “There are only 11 places and it is not easy. We do not want places to be gifted. Challenges remain and I want to make life easier for the ‘next Usman Khwaja.'”
– PK
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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