Usman Khawaja Boycotts interviews with the Australian broadcaster to protest against the journalist’s dismissal
Usman Khawaja refused to give an interview to the Sen broadcaster after day 1 of the first test match between Australia and the Antilles in Bridgetown. Khawaja’s decision would have been a demonstration in response to SEN’s dismissal by Cricket Peter Lalor journalist for pro-Palestinian publications.
After Captain Pat Cummins chose to fight for the first time on Wednesday, June 25, Australia collapsed at 22 for 3 at less than 15.1 Overs. However, Khawaja and Travis Head added a crucial 89 -point partnership that helped the visiting team recover in the first round. The veteran opener scored 47 points before being dismissed.
Usman Khawaja Boycott Interview with Australian radio on the journalist’s dismissal
Usman Khawaja refused to give an interview to the Sen radio broadcaster after day 1 of the first test against the Antilles. The Australian opener was approached by the team director of the team to speak with the commentators of Sen Adam Collins and Bharat Sunday.
Your daily cricket dose!
Khawaja first headed for the broadcasters but withdrew by noticing the SEN brand. According to Sydney Morning Herald, Khawaja’s decision was linked to the previous rejection of the journalist Peter Lalor on pro-Palestinian publications.
Lalor was withdrawn from his independent role with the radio broadcaster Sen during the Australian tour of Sri Lanka in February. The decision was made after Lalor published pro-Palestinian messages on social networks, including comments on Israeli air strikes and Palestinian prisoners, while covering a test match in Galle.
Place the inhabitants of Gaza is not anti -Semitic – Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja had previously criticized the radio broadcaster Sen for dismissed Peter Lalor. In an Instagram post, Khawaja said that expressing it support for the inhabitants of Gaza is not anti -Semitic and added that his position was addressed to the actions of the Israeli government, not Jewish communities.
“The defense of the inhabitants of Gaza is not anti -Semitic and that has nothing to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions,” wrote Khawaja on Instagram.
“It has everything to do with justice and human rights. Unfortunately, hatred towards the Jewish and Muslim community will always exist. Pete is a good guy with a good heart. He deserves better,” he said.
In particular, it will not take any measure against Khawaja for this decision.
Usman Khawaja is a man in principle – Peter Lalor
Peter Lalor, who now covers the tour as an independent journalist, expressed his gratitude for Usman Khawaja. He praised Khawaja as a man of strong principles and said that he deeply appreciated both the initial and continued the support of the Australian opener.
“Usman is a man of principle whose support I really appreciated when I was dismissed and whose continuous support I appreciate,” said Lalor in a statement.
Earlier too, Khawaja expressed his concerns concerning civilian victims in Gaza in the middle of the ongoing military operations in Israel. The violence broke out following an attack led by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023.
Later that year, Khawaja was involved in a dispute with the ICC when he tried to bring messages of peace in terms of statement. The ICC has judged the act “political” and prohibited it, despite the neutral nature of the message.
Read also: Prithvi Shaw openly blame friends to have destroyed his cricket career
