Usman Khawaja, a former Australian cricketer, has voiced his belief that David Warner will eventually regain the adoration of the Australian public after his retirement, drawing parallels to the evolution of Shane Warne’s image post-playing days.
Khawaja, speaking at an Amazon Prime Video Twenty20 World Cup event in Melbourne, likened Warner’s one-year ban from cricket in 2018 to Warne’s 12-month drug suspension in 2003-04. He noted that despite their off-field controversies, both players remained revered for their on-field prowess.
“Look at all the crap Warnie used to do,” Khawaja remarked, referencing Warne’s tumultuous off-field behavior. “He got in a lot of trouble, he missed a year of cricket, too, for a drugs ban. People still loved Warnie after he stopped playing.”
Khawaja also criticized Cricket Australia‘s stance on Afghanistan, calling for the resumption of bilateral ties. He labeled CA’s position hypocritical, given that the organization benefits from Afghan players participating in the Big Bash League.
“If we’re benefiting from Afghanistani cricketers in the BBL, how can we say we’re not going to play against them in a bilateral series?” Khawaja questioned, highlighting the inconsistency in CA’s approach.
Regarding Warner’s future, Khawaja acknowledged that the 2018 ball-tampering scandal would remain a defining moment in his career. However, he emphasized that Warner’s contributions to cricket extended beyond the controversy.
“If you have a cricket career and score lots of runs as a batsman and stay out of the media and nothing happens, it’s kinda boring,” Khawaja said. “But he’s got experiences – he’s Dave Warner.”
Khawaja also expressed support for resuming ties with Afghanistan, citing a conversation with Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s captain. He noted Rashid’s disappointment over the cancellation of the series, emphasizing cricket’s significance to the Afghan people.
In conclusion, Khawaja stressed the need to separate politics from sports and urged Cricket Australia to reconsider its stance on Afghanistan. He highlighted the positive impact cricket could have on Afghanistan and its people, advocating for the game to be used as a tool for promoting peace and unity.
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