Sydney, January 2, 2026: Star Australian batsman Usman Khawaja announced on Friday that he will retire from international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday. Turning 39 last month, Khawaja said he hopes his career inspires youngsters who feel “different” to pursue cricket at the highest level.
Khawaja, who made his Test debut at the SCG during the 2010-11 Ashes series, finishes his career with 6,206 Test runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries. Beyond the numbers, Khawaja has been a standard-bearer for diversity in Australian cricket, having been born in Pakistan and raised in Sydney from the age of five.
“I hope I’ve inspired many children along the way, particularly those who feel that they are different, those who feel that they don’t belong, or those others tell that they will never make it,” Khawaja said at a press conference. “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. You can do the same.”
Khawaja spent much of his Test career in the middle order but was temporarily dropped for the 2021-22 Ashes series before reviving his career with twin centuries when Travis Head contracted COVID. He later formed a successful opening partnership with David Warner, who retired from Test cricket two years ago.
This Ashes series, Khawaja missed the second Test due to a back injury in Perth and was initially dropped for the third Test in Adelaide. He was recalled after Steve Smith suffered vertigo and scored 82 and 40 at number four, helping Australia win by 82 runs and retain the Ashes urn.
Reflecting on his career, Khawaja said he faced unfair scrutiny from the media following his Perth injury, attributing the criticism to racial stereotypes. “It was quite personal … the same racial stereotypes I’ve grown up with my whole life,” he said. “I just want the journey for the next Usman Khawaja to be different. I want him to be treated the same, without racial stereotypes.”
Khawaja’s career stands as both a testament to his cricketing skill and a symbol of diversity, resilience, and inspiration for the next generation of cricketers in Australia and beyond.
