Usman Khawaja on, identity, integrity and holding the line under pressure

Australian Test cricketer and trailblazer Usman Khawaja joins Talal Yassine for an unfiltered conversation about sport, faith, and the courage to stay true to yourself, even when the world pushes back.

From a childhood split between Sydney’s east and Western Sydney, to the elite ranks of Australian cricket, Usman reflects on the challenges of growing up between cultures, breaking through racial barriers, and rising to the top of a game that wasn’t built for players like him. He shares how discipline, resilience, and a deep Islamic faith helped him find balance on and off the field, and why he’s never been afraid to speak out.

They talk about the realities of racism in elite sport, Usman's quiet leadership, and how he navigates fame, family, and public scrutiny with grace. He opens up about standing firm on humanitarian issues, the backlash he faced for calling out double standards, and the personal cost of using his platform to challenge the status quo.

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Episode Running Order

• Early days: from Pakistan to Paddington and Parramatta (02:15)
• Navigating two worlds—white cricket and a conservative Muslim home (08:20)
• What Western Sydney teaches you about resilience (14:10)
• Discipline over talent: the real secret to making it (19:40)
• Fitting in, standing out—and making it on your own terms (31:15)
• Religion, identity, and being the only one in the room (37:05)
• A story about his mother, mercy, and the meaning of faith (45:30)
• Islamophobia, Gaza, and the fight for equality in cricket (52:15)
• Direct messages, hate, and how he protects his peace (1:01:10)
• Quickfire questions (1:05:30)

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