Australian Cricket Still Has A Long Way To Go In Terms Of Inclusivity Of Races: Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja, the Pakistani-born Australian cricketer, has complimented Cricket Australia and the Women Cricket Team for taking the initiative as far as addressing the rampant racism issues that exist in Australian cricket but he still feels that the team still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity of races.

Khawaja made his comments after Cricket Australia announced that the men’s cricket team will take part in a barefoot circle ahead of the home summer against India as a reflection of a statement against racism and indigenous cultures in the country.

JUST IN: Australia will wear an Indigenous shirt for their upcoming Dettol T20 series against India.

Details: https://t.co/hvo9DcCwLe pic.twitter.com/BET8kIvtzd

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 11, 2020

Besides that, the Australian Men’s Cricket Team will also wear a specially designed jersey as a mark of respect towards the Aboriginal people of the country

“Love the initiative from CA and women’s team to lead the charge. Just like I’m proud of where my family came from, so should everyone else. Australian cricket still has a long way to go. But hopefully we are all heading in the right direction,” Khawaja tweeted.

Love the initiative from CA and women's team to lead the charge. Just like I'm proud of where my family came from, so should everyone else. Australian cricket still has a long way to go. But hopefully we are all heading in the right direction! #inclusivity ?? https://t.co/sBZztpnu3W

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) November 17, 2020

Usman Khawaja on his experiences of racism in Australian cricketing circles

Usman Khawaja, who was a 5-year-old kid when his family moved from Pakistan to Australia had recently spoken about the rampant racism in Australian cricketing circles.

Khawaja had revealed how he had to face certain stereotypes like being lazy and slow in the field due to his Asian origins. The southpaw added that while the cricketing circle seems to be moving away from that, there is still a long way to go.

“I always had that ‘lazy’ undertone when I was growing up, and I think part of that was my relaxed nature, but part of it was also because I was Pakistani, and subcontinent people were seen as lazy. Running has never been natural to me, so when we used to do lots of fitness testing, I wasn’t as good as everyone else. When you put that against where I was from, that did play against me,” Usman Khawaja had revealed earlier.

Also Read- Usman Khawaja’s Brother Handed A 2.5 Year Jail Term Over Fake Terror Plot