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Usman Khawaja boycotts Australian radio station over sacking of journalist supporting Palestine: 'He is a man of principle'
Taking a stand for a veteran journalist sacked by SEN Radio, cricketer Usman Khawaja boycotted the Australian radio station at the end of Day 1's play in the first Test between West Indies and Australia. read more
Usman Khawaja had also supported journalist Peter Lalor when Sen Radio sacked him in February. Image: AP
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja refused to speak to SEN Radio on Wednesday after the end of Day 1's play in the first Test between West Indies and Australia at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, as a mark of protest against the sacking of veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor.
Australia's SEN Radio had sacked renowned cricket reporter Lalor in February this year in February, midway through the tour of Sri Lanka, for showing support for Palestine . Before his sacking, Lalor had shared multiple posts on X (formerly Twitter) which claimed that Israel had committed 'genocide' in Gaza.
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Usman Khawaja refuses SEN interview
As per a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Khawaja, who made 47 as Australia were bowled out for just 180 on Day 1, was scheduled to record an interview with SEN commentators Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan at Kensington Oval after the end of the day's play, but the veteran opener refused to do the interview.
Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity to SMH, said Khawaja's decision was linked to SEN's controversial sacking of Lalor earlier this year. Khawaja feels SEN's action against Lalor was 'unfair'.
Khawaja had also backed Lalor in a social media post at the time of his sacking.
'Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions,' Khawaja posted 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.'
The report added that Khawaja also apologised to Collins and Sundaresan for declining the interview.
The 38-year-old Khawaja doesn't face any threat of action from Cricket Australia as players are allowed to decline post-match interviews if they wish.
Meanwhile, Lalor is also covering the first Test in Barbados. Shortly after Khawaja refused the interview, in a statement, Lalo wrote: 'Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate.'
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