Khawaja divides opinion with 'dab' celebration
What was intended to be a harmless gesture could turn into a headache for Usman Khawaja, after the Aussie batsman was criticised for his 'dab' celebration against Pakistan.
The left-hander marked his eighth Test 50 with his own version of the popular dance move, and it hasn’t gone down well with supporters and traditionalists.
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Khawaja helped Australia to a commanding lead on day four at the SCG, but his antics polarised opinion on social media.
Lack of respect shown by Khawaja to the Pakistan team. No excuse for behaviour like that in community cricket, let alone in a test @CAComms https://t.co/N1OaAY6kS8
— James Gratton (@jimmygratts) January 6, 2017
STOP PEOPLE FROM DABBING. THIS IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL NOW. https://t.co/r4U47W96Md
— Arsal A. Jafri (@arsaljafri) January 6, 2017
Usman actually just dabbed #woweeee #AusvPak @CricketAus ! 🤦🏽♂️🏏
— Jacob Coniglio (@jacobconiglio) January 6, 2017
Just seen the Khawaja dab. Prepare the bails for cremation; test cricket is dead. #AUSvPAK
— Paul Wissam (@pjwiss) January 6, 2017
Lost all respect for Usman Khawaja after he dabbed to celebrate his half century 😒. Can we keep such off the field #AUSvPAK
— Maropeng (@PRIDE_MP) January 6, 2017
Though most fans did see the lighter side of the celebration:
Thanks to the @Uz_Khawaja #dab my youngest son is finally interested in cricket #thankyouuz
— David Stretch (@DaveStretch) January 6, 2017
So much swag @Uz_Khawaja #dablife
— Adam Oxley (@oxy_4) January 6, 2017
Great dab @Uz_Khawaja my son loved it. #AUSvPAK @CricketAus We were hoping the skipper was going to dab on his 50 as well. #keepingitreal
— M Eafey (@MLeafey) January 6, 2017
The 30-year-old said afterwards that he was merely trying to have a bit of fun.
"We've been joking about it (the dab) all week," Khawaja said.
"Renners [Matt Renshaw] and a few of the other lads have been talking about it so when I got to fifty I thought 'just dab'."
Khawaja suggested something bigger and better could be in store the next time he notches a century.
"If I get a hundred then it'll be a super dab but I guess we'll have to wait for that," Khawaja joked when quizzed on the manoeuvre after the match.
The celebration could come at a cost for Khawaja though, with Aussie quick Josh Hazlewood confirming it might be part of a post-match analysis.
"I'm part of the Fines Committee and we’re not allowed to fine people for on-field things, but that might be up for discussion next meeting," Hazlewood said.
"It's all good fun. He's just trying to do something different compared to everyone else. It’s pretty funny."