From Islamabad To New South Wales: Usman Khawaja To Conclude Historic Career On January 4

KEY POINTS

The pioneering batter will retire after the final Ashes Test at the SCG, his debut ground.
Khawaja reflected on being a barrier-breaking inspiration as Australia’s first Muslim men’s Test cricketer.
His resilient career peaked with a 2023 ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award after a World Test Championship triumph.
He addressed retirement critics directly, stating he continued playing at the team’s request, not for personal glory.

ISLAMABAD: Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday, confirming that the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, beginning January 4, 2026, will be his final match.

At an emotional press conference at the SCG, the 38-year-old left-hander reflected on a trailblazing journey. “I’m here to announce today that I will be retiring from all international cricket after the SCG Test match,” Khawaja stated. “God, through cricket, has given me far more than I ever imagined. He’s given me memories I’ll carry forever, friendships that go well beyond the game and lessons that shaped me, who I am off the field.”

Pioneer’s path

Khawaja’s story is one of remarkable firsts. Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, his family emigrated to New South Wales when he was four. He became the first Australian of Pakistani origin and the nation’s first Muslim men’s Test cricketer upon his debut during the 2010-11 Ashes series at the very ground where he will now bow out.

Beyond cricket, he is a qualified commercial pilot who attained his pilot’s license before his driver’s license, completing a university aviation degree before his Test debut.

Overcoming criticism

His Test career, spanning 87 matches, was marked by resilience. He batted in every position from No. 1 to 6 and endured periods out of the side before a stunning comeback at the SCG in January 2022, where he scored twin centuries against England.

He addressed recent criticism about the timing of his retirement head-on. “It felt like attacking, it was disappointing,” he said, revealing that coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey had urged him to stay on for crucial campaigns like the 2025 World Test Championship. “I’m not hanging on for myself,” Khawaja emphasized.

Legacy of leadership and performance

Khawaja’s legacy is cemented by elite performance. He was a key pillar in Australia’s 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship victory, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest overall run-scorer (1,621 runs) and the top Australian, earning the 2023 ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award.

Domestically, he was a decorated leader, captaining Queensland to Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup glory and starring as a Sydney Thunder icon in their maiden Big Bash League title.

“Look at me now”: An inspiration beyond sport

As he prepares for his final walk to the SCG crease, Khawaja stressed the profound importance of his identity. “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,” he declared, hoping to inspire future generations.

His career ends where it began, at the SCG, a ground that witnessed his debut, his triumphant return, and now, the farewell of a player who changed the face of Australian cricket.