PAK vs AUS: "You Don’t See That Side" - Usman Khawaja On 'Emotional' David Warner

Australian opener Usman Khawaja opened up about his mate David Warner’s retirement from Test cricket. He said that it’s a special as well as an emotional moment for him to see the emotional side of Warner.

3rd January 2024 will be the last time David Warner will be seen in whites for Australia. The batter will be retiring from the longest format of the game after the last Test against Pakistan, slated to be played at his home ground in Sydney Cricket Ground.

David Warner no doubt will go down as one of the best players for Australia in the Tests. For more than the last decade, he has been the backbone of the team, and him going now will leave a massive void for the team at the top of the order.

While everyone was prepared for his Test retirement, David Warner surprised many as he also announced his ODI retirement as well. The batter however mentioned that he will be available for the team if they want him to play in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Usman Khawaja, who is a childhood friend of David Warner, spoke about his opening partner’s fierce competitiveness. He said that no one has seen the emotional side of the batter but mentioned that he’s a completely different person off the field. Speaking to Fox Cricket, he explained:

“It is quite special and quite emotional, I haven’t seen that. You don’t see that side of Davey (Warner) at all. Obviously he doesn’t show you that side when he is playing. He is a fierce competitor. You see the Bull and you see him go out there and play hard and I have known him for a long time and I know that side of him.

“Something I love about Davey and probably the thing I love about him the most is you see what he is like on the cricket field, but he is such a different person when he is back home and with his family. I have obviously known his parents Loraine and Howard for a long time and their family is good mates with my family.”

AUS vs PAK: Playing together and being together for so long – Usman Khawaja On David Warner

Usman Khawaja further acknowledged David Warner’s efforts for Australia in the Tests and ODIs. He said that batter has put heart, soul, and tears into the game. The opening batter added that it has been full circle for him and Warner. He added:

“Playing together and being together for so long, the journey is bizarre and one part of that journey is coming to an end. He has stopped playing Test cricket and One Day Internationals and he put so much time and effort into it and there is so much heart, soul and tears that go into it.

“There is so many ups and downs and so much goes into it, I guess when you get to the realisation that it is coming to an end, especially being able to share that with a childhood friend. And now that we have our own kids it is weird when it comes full circle.”

David Warner has been in exceptional touch in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan. He opened the series with a magnificent ton in Perth and would be hoping to end it on high as well.