Usman Khawaja Boycotts Media Outlet Over Journalist's Gaza Conflict-Related Dismissal

Usman Khawaja bats on Day 1 of the first Test between West Indies and Australia. (AP)

Khawaja, after scoring 47 runs in Australia's innings during the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown, refused to speak to SEN reporters Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan when he noticed their microphone.

The issue revolves around Peter Lalor, who was terminated by SEN while covering Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in February. Lalor had shared tweets regarding Israeli airstrikes and the situation of Palestinian prisoners.

Lalor expressed his gratitude for Khawaja's stance, stating: "Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate."

Khawaja's activism isn't new. He has consistently voiced his opinions on human rights matters, with a particular focus on the Gaza situation. During a previous Test match in Perth, he wore a black armband as a symbol of his concerns. He also attempted to display messages supporting human rights on his shoes but was stopped by cricket authorities.

During the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the MCG, Cricket Australia and the ICC prohibited Khawaja from displaying the phrases "freedom is a human right" and "all lives matter" on his footwear.

Khawaja commented on the shoe incident: "It's just a little bit disappointing. I don't really see the controversy of [saying] all lives matter and saying freedom is a human right."

He further elaborated: "I don't see where it becomes political ... I find it hard to accept where people find what I said distasteful. It makes me feel a little bit uneasy that people find those words uneasy."

"It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for, I guess... I'll always stand up for what I believe in, even if people don't agree with me or don't like me saying it."

Khawaja concluded: "I want to look back on my career and say, look, I stood up for my values, I respect what I did on the field, but I also respect myself for what I did off the field... that means more to me."