Usman Khawaja retires and speaks about racism

[Austin 3:!6]

37 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Pakistani Hindu Kaneria did the same. 

Shoaib Akhtar testified Kaneria's statements to be true.

[Lone Wolf]

1 hour ago, Gollum said:

Aussies will face a sharp dip in next cycle I think. They may still make the '27 WTC final but after that they won't have Smith, Carey, Lyon, Starc, Boland, Hazlewood (already 34 and injury prone) as well. Even Cummins is 32 now and facing a career threatening injury. 

 

India has a real shot at winning the next BGT there, in 2028-29. Jaiswal, Gill will be at the peak of their powers then. 

Cooper Connolly, Oliver Peake, some new rando keeper and 2/3 among U19 WC winning quicks will be ready.

Have a feeling Spencer Johnson will replace Starc in a couple of years time, too good a talent that guy to be left out.  Bowls 145+ at peak speed.

 

Australia will be short of top tier talent but they will unearth some match winners Outta nothing.

[Ultimate_Game]

2 hours ago, coffee_rules said:

Remember our own Azhar who played the victim card after getting banned for match fixing

 

1 hour ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

Shoaib Akhtar testified Kaneria's statements to be true.

 

1 hour ago, Gollum said:

Pakistani Hindu Kaneria did the same. 

 

1 hour ago, Trichromatic said:

 

While there are good chances that he might have faced racial discrimination, there is possibility that not everything was due to that alone.

 

Azhar was the captain of Indian team for nearly a decade (1989-99) and captained us across 3 WCs (92, 96, 99). In fact I don't recall a captain who was given a longer rope and had more longevity than Azhar. Even someone like Ganguly didn't get as much support so based on evidence Azhar didn't have much to complain about. Plus we've multiple success stories like Pathan brothers, Zaheer, Munaf, Kaif, Shami, Siraj etc. which show that if you've talent you'll get into the team - there's no glass ceiling. And this is not limited to Cricket alone. Look at Bollywood. If India had systemic discrimination we wouldn't have stars like Shahrukh, Salman, Feroz & Sanjay Khan and their whole clan. I'm sure there's some level of bias and discrimination but nowhere close to what you see in padosiland and B'desh. Overall if you've talent, you'll make it in India.

 

As for Kaneria, the discrimination was pretty well vouched for by multiple Pak players at the time. He was asked to sit at a different table and couldn't have lunch with the team. Afridi was the main culprit but others like Inzi weren't too far behind as well. When you consider than Mohd Yusuf (Yousuf Youhana) had to convert to continue to be in the team, likes of Shehzad were openly caught on mic asking opponents to convert, and Inzi tried to convert foreign players like Lara, plus the fact that you hardly see any minority player come through in Pakistan, it's clear the kind of harassment and discrimination Kaneria endured.

[coffee_rules]

3 hours ago, Gollum said:

Pakistani Hindu Kaneria did the same. 

He had recorded statements of fellow players asking him to convert and have a precedent 

of Yusuf Johanna converting as well. Not the same as Azhar and Khwaja

[G_B_]

Zzzz

 

 

[Zero_Unit]

Wasn't really a big fan of him, but he was an impactful player when he stepped up. Wishing him the best in his future endeavours. That said, he could've left it at retiring and thanking people, instead of bringing religion and racism into it. Write a book like rest of the players bro ... don't give the whole plot out lol. 

[Lord]

 

[Vk1]

16 hours ago, Gollum said:

More power to Khawaja. Aus is one of the most racist western countries, even their cricket fans have treated Khawaja disgracefully this Ashes on non-cricket grounds, pure racism. 

 

Here he is not just taking the stand for himself, he is doing it for all the young Kumars, Mendises and Khans with dreams of representing Aus at the highest level a few years from now. 

Only if his wife had not become a muslim after marrying him he would have gained far more support. 

[Gollum]

8 minutes ago, Vk1 said:

Only if his wife had not become a muslim after marrying him he would have gained far more support. 

All Abrahamic faiths are predatory in nature man...often Islam more so, at least in the modern era. 

[goose]

i dont have a lot of time for his antics. the world isnt perfect but there's enough decent white people out there in most countries if you just try to blend in. instead he does his top button up. 

[The Hound]

 

nice insights by Bharat 

[New guy]

On 1/4/2026 at 1:57 AM, G_B_ said:

Zzzz

 

 

Of course bringing up racism is a sleep worthy topic for our brown uncle Toms who are bootlickers of whatever white people do despite the exact same racism happening to Indians all over the world. So not a surprise at all.

 

Anytime I am surprised that we had Indians who were bootlickers of British when they ruled us, I just need to look at the modern versions of them to know it was true, who despite being browns constantly defend racism and down play them. The white boots must really feel tasty in their mouths.

 

Once a bootlicker of white boots, always a bootlicker of white boots. Probably descended from same families who bootlicked for British to oppress fellow Indians.

Edited January 6 by New guy

[Gollum]

On 1/3/2026 at 10:54 PM, Austin 3:!6 said:

Shoaib Akhtar testified Kaneria's statements to be true.

Not minimizing the unjust treatment Kaneria faced. 

 

My point is that when criminals are caught, they can resort to anything for sympathy, basic human trait. 

[New guy]

11 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Not minimizing the unjust treatment Kaneria faced. 

 

My point is that when criminals are caught, they can resort to anything for sympathy, basic human trait. 

Yep agreed, which is why these statements are more impactful when it comes from someone like Khwaja who is retiring on his own terms after a decent career 

Edited January 6 by New guy

[Gollum]

2 minutes ago, New guy said:

Yep agreed, which is why these statements are more impactful when it comes from someone like Khwaja who is retiring on his own terms after a decent career 

Brown people have it bad in Australia. One of the more racist western countries. Indians too have come under attack a lot recently even in the form of rallies. The slandering against Khawaja was OTT this Ashes, a series that Aussies have dominated, of course emotions will pour over. 

 

And why are Indians getting triggered? Last BGT, Indian crowds were hecked by Aussies, in 20-21 BGT Siraj experienced racism which led to police action against the perps. Aussie team under Cummins may be broad minded but can't say the same about their populace. 

[Gollum]

And the 'what about Pakistan' retort is silly. Onus is on Pak cricketers and administrators to discuss these things, not on Khawaja. Only interaction I have seen of Khawaja with Pakistanis is that funny interview with Ajmal ('man is the science') where he was trying to control his laughter. 

 

Anyway, since Pakistanis won't introspect, they will forever be a 3rd world country. Rest of the world should be held to higher standards, countries like Pak, Afg represent the worst of humanity IMO. 

[singhvivek141]

On 1/2/2026 at 4:49 PM, goose said:

said he had to lie about his pakistan origins said he was from saudi arabia. 

Well, most Pak Origin folks do that across the world, nothing special. Serves right for being born to that filthy, rabid, gutter chaap country.
Khwaja need to stop crying and playing the Victim Card.

[Gollum]

[Soorma Bhopali]

On 1/3/2026 at 3:18 PM, Bigg Brother said:

6000 runs at avg of 43. Good test Career. I felt he underachieved in ODIs. Should have been regular in XI if not for Finch-Warner. 

Compared to Virat Kohli , a generational talent , ending his test avg. at 46 , I think he did the best as per his limited talent. In my view, Virat underachieved in test areana compared to talent he had at his disposal . 

[vvvslaxman]

On 1/6/2026 at 12:15 AM, Gollum said:

And the 'what about Pakistan' retort is silly. Onus is on Pak cricketers and administrators to discuss these things, not on Khawaja. Only interaction I have seen of Khawaja with Pakistanis is that funny interview with Ajmal ('man is the science') where he was trying to control his laughter. 

 

Anyway, since Pakistanis won't introspect, they will forever be a 3rd world country. Rest of the world should be held to higher standards, countries like Pak, Afg represent the worst of humanity IMO. 

They had a an advertising board in SA with Amlas face that said coolie . One racist employee without permission put it up. Then there was this case Dean Jones calling him a. Terrorist.  Also there was an occasion in Australia some guy was caught writing racist stuff against Amla on the ground.