Usman Khawaja Retirement: Australian left-handed opening batsman Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from international cricket. The fifth Test of the Ashes series, starting in Sydney on January 4, will be the last of his career. The 39-year-old Khawaja made the announcement at a press conference on Friday morning.
Usman Khawaja has represented Australia in all three formats of the game, but he is best known as a formidable opening batsman in Test cricket. He has consistently delivered exceptional performances for Australia in this role for many years. In his 15-year international career, Usman Khawaja has set several records that will undoubtedly inspire young cricketers.
Usman Khawaja announced his retirement at a press conference held at the SCG on Friday morning. His parents, wife Rachel, and their two children were also present. Khawaja revealed that he had informed his teammates of his decision just before their training session.
"I’m here to announce today that I will be retiring from all international cricket after the SCG Test match,” Khawaja told the press.
“God through cricket has given me far more than I could have imagine. He’s given me memories I’ll carry forever, friendship that goes well beyond the game, and lessons that shaped me, who I am, off the field.
“But no career belongs to one person. I obviously had a lot of help. To my parents, thank you for your sacrifices that never made the highlights reel.”
Born in Islamabad, Usman Khawaja moved to Australia with his family as a child. Growing up in Sydney, Khawaja dreamt of playing cricket while watching matches at the SCG, and later made both his first-class and Test debuts at the same ground. In an emotional moment, he said, "I'm a proud Muslim boy of color from Pakistan who was told he would never play for Australia, and here I am today."
"And as a boy, whose parents were barely scraping through in trying to provide for their kids in a little two-bedroom apartment, I thought, ‘One day, I’m going to be a Test cricketer.'”
Usman Khawaja's International Carrier
Looking at Khawaja's career, he made his Test debut in 2011 and his ODI debut in 2013. In 87 Test matches and 157 innings, he has scored 6,206 runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries. His highest score is 232. In 40 ODIs and 39 innings, he has scored 1,554 runs with the help of 2 centuries and 12 half-centuries. He has also scored 241 runs in 9 T20 matches, including one half-century. Khawaja played his last ODI in 2019 and his last T20 match in 2016.
Khawaja was not only a prolific run-scorer, but he also made a significant impact off the field. As Australia's first Muslim Test cricketer, he spoke out against racism and advocated for better opportunities for players of South Asian descent.
Runs have been harder to come by in the last 18 months, but his innings of 232 against Sri Lanka in Galle in February was the best of his career. Even with an injury during this Ashes series, he made a crucial contribution, playing a key role in helping Australia win the trophy. Khawaja said, "I want people to remember me as a humble cricketer who enjoyed the game and entertained the crowd."
