Usman Khawaja Speaks on Racial Stereotypes in Retirement Press Conference

At his retirement press conference at the SCG, Usman Khawaja addressed the criticism he received during the Ashes, linking it to racial stereotyping he has faced throughout his career.

Khawaja was criticized for playing golf before the opening Ashes Test in Perth, facing questions about his preparation and commitment. He described the narrative as personal.

"I had back spasms, and that's something I couldn't control," Khawaja said. "But the way the media and past players attacked me, I copped it for about five days straight. And it wasn't even about my performances."

Reflecting on the scrutiny after his injury before the Perth Test, Khawaja said the criticism extended beyond cricket.

"It was about something very personal, it's about my preparation," he said. "The way everyone came at me… he's not committed, he's selfish, he's lazy. These are the same racial stereotypes I've grown up with my whole life."

Khawaja, born in Pakistan and the first Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia, said he has long felt treated differently within the system.

"I've always felt a little bit different, even now," he said. "I'm a coloured cricketer. I've felt very different in a lot of respects, different by the way I've been treated."

He contrasted the reaction to his injury with how similar situations involving other players were handled.

"I can give you countless guys who played golf the day before and got injured. You haven't said a thing. I can give you guys who've had 15 schooners the night before and then got injured. No one said a word. That's all right. They're just being Aussie larrikins."

Khawaja said the episode compelled him to speak up.

"I felt that I had to bring this up," he said. "I didn't want to talk about this, but I just want the journey for the next Usman Khawaja to be different. I want you to treat him or her all the same, not have racial stereotypes of who they might be."

He referenced last year's criticism for missing a Sheffield Shield final to attend the Formula One Grand Prix due to hamstring tightness.

"You guys had a crack at me for missing a game, yet plenty of my teammates, who were not playing, you didn't say a word to them. So for me, I've been dealing with this stuff a long time. And I know people are like, okay, Uzzy's playing the race card again, but don't gaslight me."

While acknowledging progress, Khawaja said the issue persists.

"There's still a little bit out there, which I still have to fight every single day. When I got injured, everyone went at my credibility and who I am as a person. That was the frustrating part."

He shared his early efforts to assimilate.

"At the age of 25 I tried so hard to fit into the Australian cricket team. I was trying to dress like all the boys; I was going out to the clubs even though I didn't drink. I tried all that and it didn't work. I'd still get dropped. I get it – my name isn't John Smith. When the 50-50 calls happen they're just not going my way. Why am I trying to be like everybody else?"

Khawaja concluded with a hope for the future.

"I'm hoping the journey for the next Usman Khawaja is a bit easier and we get to a line, however many generations, where that Usman Khawaja is the same as John Smith. That's what I've been trying to champion the whole time. We're a lot better and inclusive society than we've been before, but there's still a way to go because Australian cricket is still very white in a lot of respects. It might take time, but as long as you're working towards it you can't do more than that."