Fans divided over ‘creepy’ Cricket World Cup stunt

Aussie batter Usman Khawaja has featured as the star of a new Cricket World Cup video that has got tongues wagging.

For once, the acting powers of an Australian cricketer were not the most horrific part of the latest advertising stunt that’s dividing cricket fans.

Usman Khawaja has starred in the latest campaign launched by Prime Video ahead of the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies.

Watch every match of the 2024 IPL Playoffs LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

The opening batter has signed up to be one of the faces of the streaming giant’s coverage of the tournament, which begins on June 2.

However, it is Khawaja’s acting talent that has got people talking with the Australian being the central piece in Prime Video’s bold campaign that mimics some of the spookiest films ever made.

The 37-year-old, who is not a part of Australia’s T20 squad, is shown in the ad picking up his newspaper from his driveway before taking in the surrounds of his neighbourhood.

The camera then shows several haunting scenes that make light of iconic Hollywood films, including The Shining, The Ring and Get Out.

You can watch the creepy ad in the video above

Usman Khawaja walked into a horror movie. Photo: Prime Video Australia.

The ad has got tongues wagging with some calling it a work of art while others don’t see how it relates to the tournament.

Perhaps the only thing that matters is that it has got people talking.

“This might be the best cricket ad I’ve ever seen,” Aussie cricket commentator Jarrod Kimber wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Usman Khawaja will be a popular commentator. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images.

“The girl with the duck should get an Oscar.”

One fan responded by writing: “I don’t know. Kinda creepy... Are they even promoting cricket?”

Former Aussie cricketer turned Channel 7 commentator Trent Copeland also had a cheeky dig at Khawaja when commenting on the video, suggesting his former NSW teammate should “find a new neighbourhood”.

The ad is a piece of artwork. Photo: Prime Video Australia.

Cricket presenter Erin Holland wrote: “Hahaha epic Uz!”

Prime Video this week announced the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year as its international ambassador.

“I am very excited to be working with the team at Prime Video, for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup this year,” he said in a press release.

“As a sports fanatic, I can’t wait to see the United States host the T20 World Cup Cricket for the very first time. Cricket is on like it never has been before. You’ve got one of the biggest sporting rivalries in the world with Pakistan and India taking place in the group stages, and our Aussies are shaping up extremely well. It is set to be a massive month of cricket and I can’t wait to watch all of it live and exclusively on Prime Video.”

Australia’s tournament begins against Oman on June 6.

Originally published as Fans divided over ‘creepy’ Cricket World Cup stunt