Melbourne, Jan 2: Australia’s senior opening batsman Usman Khawaja has announced that he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. His farewell appearance will mark the end of a 15-year international career, which began at the same venue in 2011.Khawaja, aged 39, has been one of Australia’s most consistent Test performers in recent years. He has scored more than 6,000 runs in Test cricket with an average above 43, including several match-winning centuries. He is also a historic figure in Australian cricket as the country’s first Muslim and Pakistan-born Test cricketer.
While announcing his retirement, Khawaja spoke emotionally about the challenges he faced, especially racial stereotyping during different phases of his career. He said criticism about his fitness and commitment often carried racial undertones and added that such attitudes still existed in some corners of the game. However, he also said he leaves the sport with “contentment” and hopes his journey has inspired many young cricketers from diverse backgrounds.
Throughout his career, Khawaja earned a reputation for calm, stylish batting, resilience in adversity and commitment to the team’s cause. Apart from his Test achievements, he has also represented Australia in limited-overs formats and contributed significantly whenever opportunities came his way.
Cricket Australia and cricket fans across the world have hailed Khawaja’s contribution, praising both his performances and his role in promoting inclusiveness in the sport. As he prepares to wear the baggy green for the final time, the Sydney Test is expected to be an emotionally charged farewell for a player who broke barriers and left a strong legacy in Australian cricket.