The veteran Australia National Cricket Team opening batsman Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a 15-year-long career.
Usman Khawaja will play the 88th and last Test match of his career at the Sydney Cricket Ground and retire following the end of the fifth match of Ashes 2025-26.
Usman Khawaja finally says goodbye
Khawaja’s retirement has been one of the biggest talking points in the ongoing Ashes series as several cricket experts called for his retirement despite the batter not dropping any hints.
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The veteran left-handed batsman became the centre of attention during the first Test when he was unable to open due to a back spasm, and then he also missed the subsequent Test.
Jake Weatherald sealed a spot at the top order as an opener, and with Travis Head being promoted, Khawaja’s role in the Australian team was significantly reduced.
Now, he is set for a traditional Sydney swansong, and he could finish up as Australia’s 14th-highest run-getter in the red-ball format if he scores 30 more runs in his final game.
So far, Usman Khawaja has scored 6206 runs in 157 innings at an average of 43.39, with 16 tons and 28 fifties.
I’m a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan – Usman Khawaja
Addressing an emotional retirement press conference, Khawaja said that he is a “proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan”.
“I’m a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan who was told he would never play for the Australian cricket team – look at me now,” Khawaja said during a press conference that lasted the best part of an hour.
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I didn’t think I’d get emotional but I teared up straightaway – Usman Khawaja
Khawaja further revealed that he told about his retirement to the head coach Andrew McDonald and teammates after fourth Test in Melbourne.
“It’s been tough, I’ve just wanted to tell everyone,” he said. I told teammates just then. I didn’t think I’d get emotional but I teared up straightaway and I had to compose myself. I finally composed myself and got out what I wanted to say.
“I never thought I’d be the guy that would cry when he retired but I cried straightaway. It just shows what it means to me. My journey has been different to a lot of cricketers in the Australian cricket team. All that emotion built up.”
I just want to be remembered as a humble cricketer – Usman Khawaja
The veteran opener further said that he just wants to be remembered as a humble cricketer, who managed to entertain everyone.
“I just want to be remembered as a humble cricketer who went out there and entertained, and (that) people enjoyed watching,” he said
Although Khawaja has announced his retirement from international cricket, he will continue to play the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Brisbane Heat and will also remain available for Queensland’s Sheffield Shield matches.
“Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket both through his outstanding achievements as one of our most stylish and resilient batters since his Test debut 15 years ago, and off field, particularly through the Usman Khawaja Foundation. On behalf of Australian Cricket I would like to thank and congratulate Usman for all he has achieved,” Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg stated in an official statement.
