“Selfish…”- Usman Khawaja slams media and former player in fiery retirement press conference ahead of fifth Test in Sydney

subhradeep-choudhury — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 11:53:34 GMT

Usman Khawaja slams media and former player

The fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025/26 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will be the last international contest for Usman Khawaja, who has decided to retire after the opening week of 2026. The left-handed opening batter, currently, has smashed 6206 runs in Tests at an average of 43.39 with 28 fifties and 16 centuries.

Usman Khawaja went after the media and former players for their double standards, citing the example of the opening Ashes Test at the Optus Stadium. He mentioned that he was the first Pakistan-born and Muslim player to ever play for Australia.

“When I did my back, I had back spasms, it was something I couldn’t control. The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me. I copped it for about five days straight. Everyone was piling in. Once the racial stereotypes came in, of me being lazy, it was things I’ve dealt with my whole life. Pakistani, West Indian, and coloured players.” Khawaja expressed.

Usman Khawaja hits out at media and former players

Khawaja minced no words as he hit out at the way he suffered the back injury, as he suffered the back spasm midway through the red-ball encounter, which prevented him from the opening position in the second innings, paving the way for Travis Head to take the responsibility.

“We’re selfish, we only care about ourselves, we don’t care about the team, we don’t train hard enough. I just thought the media and old players and everyone else had moved past them, but we obviously haven’t moved past them. All these things came back and made me realize we’re not quite there.” The Queensland batter reflected.

“I can give you a countless number of guys who have played golf the day before and been injured, and you guys (media) haven’t said a thing. I can give you even more guys who have had 15 schooners (beer) the night before, then got injured, and no one’s said a word. That’s alright, they’re just being Aussie larrikins, just being lads.” Khawaja addressed.