Usman Khawaja reveals pressure to embrace whiteness in Australian Cricket

Usman Khawaja’s journey from a young Pakistani-Muslim immigrant to the Australian cricket team represents resilience, adaptability, and a powerful stand for diversity.

Recently, the Australian opener shed light on his journey as a Pakistani-Muslim immigrant breaking into a sport that was historically rooted in a predominantly white Australian culture.

Usman Khawaja reflects on his journey from immigrant to Australian cricket icon

Khawaja, who moved to Sydney from Islamabad, Pakistan, as a child, shares the challenges he faced as he tried to make a place for himself in Australian cricket, where he often felt unwelcoming and didn’t reflect the diversity of the nation it represented to the world.

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The Australian opener said that his background set him apart in ways that required him to navigate cultural barriers and face the pressure to fit an “Australian” mold. Usman Khawaja candidly shared the internal conflict he experienced, feeling forced to represent an “Australian” persona that aligned with societal expectations.

Usman Khawaja was quoted as saying by ABC Sports: “I wanted to be as ‘Australian’ as possible. I wanted to be as white as possible, because I felt like that’s what I had to do to play for Australia.”

Attacks in New York made things tough for Muslims

The Australian cricketer also shared how the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York changed the lives of Muslims like him, as he had to face a new set of challenges. Khawaja further noted, “After September 11, things changed a lot, you know, everywhere around the world. There were a lot of things I’d grown up seeing and experiencing.”

In 2010-11, Khawaja became the first Muslim to don the Baggy Green, representing Australia in the iconic Ashes series against England. His debut was more than a personal milestone—it marked a historic moment that symbolized the beginning of a new chapter in Australian cricket.

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Today, Khawaja openly embraces his heritage, proudly representing his roots on and off the pitch. In recent years, he has emerged as a figure advocating for inclusivity in Australian cricket, aiming to make the game accessible to players of all backgrounds.

Usman Khawaja fights for inclusivity in Australian Cricket

The Aussie further noted, “The last five years, in particular, I’ve thought about what legacy I want to leave in this game. I’ve played cricket for a long time, and people will remember me as a cricketer. But there’s so much about Australia that I love and want everyone else to experience.”

He signed off by saying, “People are often scared of what they don’t understand. But you don’t need to understand everything. I’m still a human being; I’m still a person. Where I’ve come from or what I believe in is irrelevant.

When I see people creating hate, trying to divide the Australian community based on beliefs or backgrounds, I feel an obligation to stand up for all the people like myself and those who don’t have a voice. If I don’t stand up for that, who will?”

“I wanted to be as white as possible.”

Test opener Usman Khawaja shares what it was like to grow up in Australia as an immigrant in the wake of September 11, and why he wants to use his platform to give a voice to those in need. pic.twitter.com/qvpqahDhtE

— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) November 4, 2024