Daijiworld Media Network - Sydney
Sydney, Jan 2: Veteran Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja on Friday announced that he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and final Ashes Test against England, set to begin at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. The 39-year-old left-hander will draw the curtains on a distinguished 15-year international career, leaving behind a powerful legacy as Australia’s first Muslim and Pakistan-born Test cricketer.
If selected, the Sydney Test will be Khawaja’s 88th and final appearance in whites — fittingly at the venue where his Test journey began in 2011, also against England. Putting months of speculation to rest, Khawaja said he was content with his decision.
“The number one emotion is contentment. I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have. I hope I have inspired people along the way,” Khawaja said.
Reflecting on his journey, he added, “I’m a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for the Australian cricket team. Look at me now — and you can do the same.”
Khawaja migrated to Australia from Islamabad as a child and overcame significant odds to become a trailblazer in Australian cricket. At one stage, he was the only Asian player in Australia’s first-class system and is widely regarded as a role model who opened doors for players from diverse backgrounds.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg lauded Khawaja’s contribution, both on and off the field. “Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket through his outstanding achievements as one of our most stylish and resilient batters, and through his work with the Usman Khawaja Foundation,” he said.
Khawaja’s foundation supports youths from refugee, immigrant, Indigenous and economically disadvantaged backgrounds through cricket programs and educational initiatives.
A qualified pilot, Khawaja amassed 6,206 Test runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries. His career-best 232 against Sri Lanka last year remains a highlight, though he has not scored a century since.
The ongoing Ashes series proved challenging for the senior batsman. After suffering a back injury in the first Test in Perth, he was replaced as opener in the second innings. He missed the Brisbane Test and was initially dropped for the third Test in Adelaide, earning a recall only after Steve Smith fell ill. Batting at No. 4, he scored 82 and 40, followed by 29 and a duck in the fourth Test in Melbourne.
Khawaja expressed disappointment over how he was treated during the series, particularly by media and former players. “The way the media and past players came out and attacked me — questioning my commitment, calling me lazy and selfish — these are the same racial stereotypes I thought we had moved past,” he said.
“But obviously we haven’t fully moved past that. I haven’t seen anyone else treated like that in the Australian cricket team before,” he added.
Despite the criticism, Khawaja said he was relieved to retire on his own terms. “I’m glad I get to leave with a little bit of dignity and go out at the SCG where I love,” he said.
He admitted the signs were clear during the series. “Not being picked initially for the Adelaide Test was probably the moment I realised it was time to move on,” he noted.
In addition to his Test career, Khawaja also represented Australia in 40 One-Day Internationals and nine Twenty20 Internationals.