Australian batsman Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a distinguished career spanning 88 Test matches. The 39-year-old, born in Pakistan, becomes the first Muslim to represent Australia in Test cricket, leaving a legacy that combines on-field success with outspoken advocacy against racial stereotypes in the sport.

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An Emotional Farewell at the SCG

Khawaja will play his final Test in the Ashes series against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the very venue where he made his debut in 2011. During an emotional 50-minute press conference, Khawaja reflected on his journey from a “coloured boy from Pakistan” to a veteran of the Australian cricket team, highlighting the ongoing challenges he has faced:

“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.”

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Battling Racial Stereotypes Throughout His Career

Despite his achievements, Khawaja revealed he has repeatedly confronted racial stereotypes. Criticism over his training routines and preparation—particularly during this Ashes series when he played golf before a Test match and suffered back spasms—was personal and, he says, racially influenced.

“The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me… these are the same stereotypes I’ve grown up with my whole life,” Khawaja said.
“I just thought the media and old players and everyone else had moved past them, but we obviously haven’t.”

Khawaja contrasted his treatment with that of other players, noting that injuries or minor lapses often go unquestioned when experienced by white teammates.

“I can give you countless examples… when other players get injured or drink heavily before a match, no-one questions their commitment. When it happens to me, it’s personal. That’s what I’ve been dealing with my whole life.”

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A Legacy of Cricketing Excellence

Khawaja retires with 6,206 Test runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries, and was part of Australia’s World Test Championship-winning squad in 2023. He played 40 One-Day Internationals scoring 1,554 runs and 9 T20 Internationals, amassing 241 runs.

He has played in six Ashes series, winning two, losing two, and drawing two, and ends his international career with a chance to climb Australia’s all-time run-scorers list, currently needing 30 runs to surpass Mike Hussey.

Khawaja will continue to play domestically for Queensland, closing his international chapter but remaining active in Australian cricket.

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Striving for a More Inclusive Future

Throughout his career, Khawaja has also been vocal about the need for cricket to become more inclusive. Reflecting on his early attempts to fit in culturally, he spoke about trying to emulate his teammates’ lifestyles, only to face bias:

“At the age of 25 I tried so hard to fit into the Australian cricket team… I get it—my name isn’t John Smith. I hope the journey for the next Usman Khawaja is easier, where he is treated the same as anyone else.”

Khawaja’s final message emphasized progress and hope: while Australian cricket remains largely white in many respects, he believes the next generation can benefit from a more inclusive environment.

“We’re a lot better and a more inclusive society than we’ve been before, but there’s still a way to go… as long as you’re working towards it, you can’t do more than that.”