Usman Khawaja Reveals Racial Abuse Incident During 2023 Ashes at Lords

New Delhi, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : Former Australian opener Usman Khawaja has made a significant revelation in his autobiography, “Sabr,” regarding a controversial incident during the 2023 Ashes series at Lord’s. He alleges that a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) directed racial slurs at him following a disputed stumping involving Jonny Bairstow.

According to reports, this incident occurred during lunch on the fifth day of the second Test. As Australian players returned to the pavilion amidst jeers from the crowd, an MCC member used offensive language directed at Khawaja. Footage aired on Sky Sports captured Khawaja confronting this member while passing through the Long Room, where he was also seen informing stewards about another individual.

In his book, Khawaja describes the hostile environment, stating that members repeatedly hurled insults at the Australian players. One member shouted in his ear, while another followed with a racial slur, igniting Khawaja’s anger. He wrote, “It felt like a pack of dogs ready to devour their next meal. They were all shouting together. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. At first, I just laughed, mostly in shock. Was this the Long Room? Part of the world’s most famous cricket club, with a waiting list of over 30 years? Or were we with hooligans? And no offense to hooligans; they’ve never treated us this way.”

Khawaja recounted being yelled at from only a few feet away, prompting him to respond, “Don’t you dare shout in my ear again, you fool.” After moving forward, he heard another member telling him to “shut up,” which led him to lose his temper.

He clarified that he could not identify the person who allegedly used the racial slur but confronted the individual he believed was responsible. “I don’t know who it actually was. I want to make it clear that I know some people have been banned from the MCC. I just confronted the first person I saw, thinking he was the one. He was still shouting in my face, spitting and yelling, so I could only assume it was him. I told security, ‘Get this guy out of here.’”

Khawaja is currently in the spotlight for his new book, “Sabr,” where he discusses pivotal moments in his career.