Discrimination, racism and Islamophobia in the Ashes series… Usman Khawaja’s retirement became a controversy; Many serious allegations were made through the statement

at Sydney Cricket Ground Australia and England The fifth and final Ashes Test to be played between India and Australia will not only be the conclusion of a series, but will also prove to be the end of an important chapter of Australian cricket. Veteran batsman Usman Khawaja has announced that this match will be his last international match. 39-year-old Khawaja made this announcement on Friday, just two days before the final Test.

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Standing at the last stage of his career, Khawaja not only announced his retirement, but also openly raised questions on the attitude of the media and former cricketers. Khawaja, the first Pakistani-origin Muslim cricketer to play for Australia, said that double standards have been used against him for years, a glimpse of which was once again seen during the current Ashes series.

Sydney Test will be the last international match

Usman Khawaja made it clear that this Test to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be the last international match of his career. He said that he has taken this decision after careful consideration and now he is ready for the next chapter of his life.

Perth Test injury and start of controversy

Khawaja suffered from back spasm in the first Test of the Ashes series at Perth Stadium. Due to this injury suffered during the match, he could not open in the second innings and Travis Head had to take up this responsibility. After this, the media and many former cricketers criticized him fiercely. It was even said that he disappointed the team. The matter of playing golf a day before the match was also made a point of controversy.

Was out of the team due to criticism

After these criticisms, Khawaja could not be a part of the team in the next Test played in Brisbane. Although he got a chance in the third Test, this selection was possible due to Steve Smith’s injury at the last moment. Speaking to the media, Khawaja said, “When I got my back injury, I started getting back spasms, it was something over which I had no control. The way the media and former players attacked me, I had to face constant criticism for about 5 days. Everyone pounced on me.”

He further said that the criticism was not limited to cricket only, but his identity was also targeted. “When racial stereotypes came up, I was called lazy, those were things I’ve struggled with my whole life. Pakistanis, West Indians and black players. We’re selfish, we only care about ourselves, we don’t care about the team, we don’t train hard enough.”

Questions raised on media

Questioning the attitude of the media, Khawaja said, “I thought that the media, the old players and everyone else had forgotten these things, but apparently we have not recovered from them yet. I can give you countless examples of people who played golf the day before and got injured and you guys (media) did not say anything. No problem, they are just Australian naughty boys.”

Khwaja spoke openly on Islamophobia

Speaking on Islamophobia, Khawaja said “I know I am talking about these topics here and people will say, ‘Uzzi is here, he is raising the issue of racism again. But don’t mislead me. In today’s situation, anti-Islam sentiment is still very prevalent. I did not want to talk about this, but I want the next Usman Khawaja to have a different journey.'”