Australia batsman Usman Khawaja believes criticism of him as a “lazy” player is rooted in racial stereotypes and thinks cricket needs to do more to attract players from more ethnically diverse backgrounds.

“I always had that ‘lazy’ undertone when I was growing up and I think part of that was my relaxed nature but part of it was also because I was Pakistani, and subcontinent people were seen as lazy, not doing the hard yards and what not,” he told cricket.com.au.

Khawaja has been asked to join a Cricket Australia working group looking at increasing diversity in the game.

“When it comes to diversity ... I think we’ve been okay at it but we’re still just not quite there,” he said.

“The racism has been both overt and casual but I had the confidence to speak up when something didn’t feel right, and I know not everyone does,” said Khawaja.