‘We are heading in the right direction’ – Usman Khawaja reacts to Pat Cummins’ classy gesture
Usman Khawaja lauded Test skipper Pat Cummins‘ heartening gesture where he put on hold the champagne pouring for the middle-order left-hander to be able to join his teammates in celebrations for the Ashes series victory on Sunday (January 16).
Khawaja took to Twitter and gave his nod of his approval to Cummins’ beautiful act in Hobart. The experienced cricketer also made a point to reinforce that the gesture shows how the entire Australian squad stands behind him and that the cause of inclusivity is being upheld responsibly by the team from Down Under.
“If this video doesn’t show you that the boys have my back, I don’t know what will,” said Usman Khawaja on Monday (January 17). “They stopped their normal champagne celebrations so I could rejoin.”
“Inclusivity in the game and our values as a sport are so important. I feel like we are trending in the right direction,” added the 35-year-old, feeling pleased and proud that diversity is being embraced with open arms by his team.
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Usman Khawaja made an impressive Test comeback in Sydney.
Usman Khawaja heaps praise on Cummins and Aussie teammates after Hobart gesture
If this video doesn't show you that the boys have my back, I don't know what will. They stopped their normal champagne celebrations so I could rejoin. Inclusivity in the game and our values as a sport are so important. I feel like we are trending in the right direction
https://t.co/LrthzP9v2N
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) January 17, 2022
Born in Islamabad in Pakistan, Usman Khawaja is one of the rare Australian Muslims to have represented his adopted country at the international stage.
Khawaja’s faith in the religion of Islam doesn’t allow him to drink alcohol and thus he could not initially join Cummins & co at the podium to celebrate the 4-0 Ashes triumph over England.
But in a wonderful moment, Cummins asked his teammates to put the champagne celebrations on hold and asked Khawaja, fondly known as ‘Uzzie’ in the dressing room, to join them at the platform and soak in the atmosphere.
This might be a small gesture but this is what makes Pat Cummins great. He realised Khawaja had to dip because of the booze and rectifies it. pic.twitter.com/GNVsPGJhfK
— Fux League (@buttsey888) January 16, 2022
The Ashes 2021-22 saw Khawaja make a roaring comeback to Australia’s Test match XI during the fourth Test at the SCG. He made two solid hundreds in a drawn Test to announce his re-arrival, making a strong case to be retained in the side for he winter tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The elegant left-hander has now featured in 46 Tests for Australia with 3,142 runs at an average of 42.45, including 10 hundreds and 14 half-centuries.