Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from international cricket, confirming the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be his final match. The 39-year-old will end his career having played 87 Tests for Australia, scoring 6,206 runs.
Khawaja said Sydney is a fitting place to finish, as it is where he made his Test debut during the 2010–11 Ashes and where he scored his first Ashes century with 171 in 2018. He also lives close to the SCG. He revived his Test career at the same venue in 2022, scoring twin centuries against England at the age of 35, which led to a late-career resurgence that included seven centuries in two years.
During his announcement, Khawaja spoke about racism and racial stereotyping he experienced throughout his career, particularly criticism around his commitment, fitness, and preparation. He said such comments reflected stereotypes he has faced since growing up and were disappointing to still encounter.
Khawaja moved from Pakistan to Sydney as a child and spoke about his family’s sacrifices. He described his journey as humbling and said he hoped his career inspired children who feel different or are told they do not belong. He described himself as a proud Muslim of Pakistani background who was once told he would never play for Australia.
This summer, his place in the team was questioned after missing the Perth and Brisbane Tests due to back issues. He returned after Steve Smith was ruled out with vertigo and scored 82, securing his spot for the remainder of the series. Khawaja becomes only the second Australian player in the past decade to retire while still part of the Test side, after David Warner.
A Look at Usman Khawaja’s Test Career
Usman Khawaja was dropped from the Australian Test team seven times across eight years, yet returned each time to rebuild his place before finally retiring at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Khawaja made his Test debut at the SCG against England in 2011. After three matches, he was dropped during the Sri Lanka tour when Ricky Ponting returned to the side. His early career continued in the same pattern. He was recalled later in 2011 and scored a crucial 65 at No. 3 against South Africa in Johannesburg but was dropped again during the following home summer. In 2013, he was suspended during the India tour after the “Homeworkgate” incident and did not play a match as Australia lost the series 4–0.
He returned for the 2013 Ashes in England and scored a fighting half-century at Lord’s but was dropped again before the series ended. His biggest breakthrough came in 2015–16 after several senior retirementspokerstars247.com. Khawaja scored his maiden Test century with 174 against New Zealand and went on to score four hundreds in six innings.
Khawaja returned for the 2016–17 home season and scored a career-defining 145 as a stand-in opener in Adelaide. Yet once again, he was dropped for the India tour. He came back for the 2017–18 Ashes and scored his first Ashes century with 171 at the SCG. He later played a key role in Dubai in 2018 with scores of 85 and 141 against Pakistan.
His return in 2022 marked the second half of his career. After replacing a Covid-positive Travis Head, Khawaja scored centuries in both innings at the SCG. He was then promoted to opener and became one of the most consistent openers in world cricket for two years. He scored centuries in Pakistan, England, Sri Lanka, and India, averaging over 84 in Asia.
After the age of 35, Khawaja doubled his Test matches, runs, and centuries. He played 43 Tests in this final phase, scoring 3,319 runs with eight centuries. Despite injury setbacks late in the 2025–26 Ashes, he returned once more and scored 82 at No. 4 after Steve Smith was ruled out.
Usman Khawaja announced his retirement ahead of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, finishing with an 88-Test career.
FAQs
Q. Is Usman Khawaja retiring?
A. Yes. Usman Khawaja will retire after the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Q. Did Usman Khawaja’s wife convert?
A. Yes. His wife, Rachel Khawaja, converted to Islam before their marriage.
Q. Is Usman Khawaja from Pakistan?
A. Yes. Usman Khawaja was born in Islamabad, Pakistan, and later moved to Australia.
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