Sydney, 2 January – Australia’s left-handed opening batsman Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from international cricket. The fifth Test of the Ashes series, starting in Sydney on 4 January, will be Khawaja’s final match.
Khawaja made the announcement during a press conference on Friday morning, with his family present.
He said, “I have come to announce that after the Sydney Test, I will retire from all formats of international cricket. God has given me far more through cricket than I could have imagined. He has given me memories I will always cherish, friendships beyond the game, and lessons that defined who I am off the field.”
Khawaja expressed gratitude to his parents and wife for their support and sacrifices, which often go unnoticed. “No career belongs to one person alone. My parents and wife have helped me immensely. They sacrificed a lot without recognition. My father believed in me playing for Australia even more than I did. I thank him for that trust,” he added.
Usman Khawaja was the first cricketer of Pakistani origin to represent Australia.
The 39-year-old’s age, current form in the Ashes series, and the opportunity to give younger players a chance are factors behind his retirement decision. He has participated in three of the four Ashes Tests played so far, missing the Brisbane Test due to injury. Khawaja’s scores in the five innings of the series are 2, 82, 40, 0, and 29. In his last 15 innings, he has managed only one half-century. He will aim to end his career with a strong performance in the Sydney Test.
Khawaja made his Test debut in 2011 and One Day International debut in 2013. In 87 Tests and 157 innings, he has scored 6,206 runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries. His highest Test score is 232. In 40 ODIs and 39 innings, he has scored 1,554 runs with 2 centuries and 12 half-centuries. He has also played 9 T20 Internationals, scoring 241 runs with one half-century. Khawaja last played an ODI in 2019 and a T20 international in 2016.
(Udaipur Kiran)
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
