How Usman Khawaja became one of the most polarising players in the Australian cricket side with defiant political messages – as hits out at his treatment
Usman Khawaja is widely regarded as one of the most polarising cricketers to don the baggy green – often generating headlines with his political statements.
But he’s also one of the best Test openers ever produced Down Under.
In the wake of the 39-year-old’s retirement announcement, commentators have begun handing down their judgements on how his career will be remembered.
Khawaja revealed on Friday that the upcoming SCG Test against England will be the final match of his international career.
It’s set to book-end a full circle story for Khawaja, with the left-hander making his Test debut against the same opponent, at the same precinct, 15 years earlier in 2011.
The Pakistani born opener will finish his career having played 88 Tests for his country, and with over 6,700 Test runs to his name.
Usman Khawaja (pictured) was visibly emotional when making his retirement announcement
Usman Khawaja and wife Rachel (pictured together) got married in April 2018
The 39-year-old made (pictured) made twin centuries in the corresponding Test match in 2022
But Khawaja’s career has been embroiled with numerous controversies since his debut.
Allegations of racism within the Australian cricket fraternity have been the catalyst for him speaking out and attempting to become a leading figure in the cricketing world.
Khawaja is the first Muslim and Pakistani born player to represent Australia in a Test match.
But it was before that, while playing cricket as a child, where he was first subjected to racism.
‘Definitely (I was exposed to racism at a young age). Some of the stuff could be pretty vulgar. Some of the stuff could be pretty hurtful,’ he told 60 Minutes in 2018.
Khawaja broke new ground by playing for Australia. He has been able to provide children what he never was given as a youngster – a role model which doesn’t fit the status quo.
The stylish batter has also been very vocal with views on the conflict in the Middle East.
In late 2023, Khawaja wrote ‘All lives are equal’ and ‘Freedom is a human right’ on his shoes to express support for human rights before a Test match.
The 39-year-old (pictured) came under fire for his use of a dove on his cricket bat
Khawaja was sanctioned for writing a slogan on his playing shoes (pictured) which was linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East
The Test veteran (pictured with wife Rachel and daughters, Aisha and Ayla) is set to end his International career at the same location it began
The International Cricket Council barred the slogans as contravening rules on political messaging.
Khawaja then wore a black armband to show his support instead.
But the ICC also reprimanded him for that too.
The left hander was also forced to remove a ‘black dove’ peace sticker from his cricket bat, after the ICC rejected it as a political symbol.
His outspoken nature has been a cornerstone of who he is as a person, and how the Aussie public has come to know him across his entire career.
In his retirement press conference, he unleashed on former players and also journalists for their treatment of him across the last 15 years.
‘I’ve always felt a little bit different, even to now,’ he said.
‘I am. I’m a coloured cricketer… I’ve also felt very different in many respects. Different in how I’ve been treated, different in how things have happened.
Khawaja in particular took aim at commentators for their treatment of him during the ongoing Ashes series.
‘Something that’s been on my mind, from the start of the series I noticed, when I did my back… I hurt my back, I had back spasms. It was something I couldn’t control,’ he added.
‘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 about something very personal, it was about my preparation.’
Khawaja was in and out of the team for the first four or so years of his International Test career.
He became a prominent member of the Aussie team in late 2015.
In the midst of the 2019 Ashes, fans and players thought his career was finished after he was dropped from the side.
Khawaja got one final chance in early 2022, after being selected in the team for the the New Year’s Test at the SCG, due to Travis Head being ruled out with COVID.
He seized that opportunity, by scoring twin centuries in a brilliant return to the spotlight which sealed his place in the side as a regular batter, rather than a fill in.
The Pakistani born opener has since peeled off a further six Test centuries since the 2022 SCG Test, and was even named as the 2023 ICC Test Cricketer of the Year.
Despite only playing 70 Test matches as an opening batter, Khawaja will end his career eighth on the list for most runs as an Aussie opener.
His partnership with old teammate David Warner is especially memorable.
The pair helped Australia to a series win in Pakistan, retain trophies in Sri Lanka and England, and Australia’s first ever World Test Championship.
