The veteran Australia Nationwide Cricket Workforce opening batsman Usman Khawaja has introduced his retirement from worldwide cricket, ending a 15-year-long profession.
Usman Khawaja will play the 88th and final Check match of his profession on the Sydney Cricket Floor and retire following the top of the fifth match of Ashes 2025-26.
Usman Khawaja lastly says goodbye
Khawaja’s retirement has been one of many greatest speaking factors within the ongoing Ashes sequence as a number of cricket specialists known as for his retirement regardless of the batter not dropping any hints.
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The veteran left-handed batsman grew to become the centre of consideration through the first Check when he was unable to open as a result of a again spasm, after which he additionally missed the following Check.
Jake Weatherald sealed a spot on the prime order as an opener, and with Travis Head being promoted, Khawaja’s position within the Australian group was considerably diminished.
Now, he’s set for a conventional Sydney swansong, and he may end up as Australia’s 14th-highest run-getter within the red-ball format if he scores 30 extra runs in his last recreation.
To this point, Usman Khawaja has scored 6206 runs in 157 innings at a median of 43.39, with 16 tons and 28 fifties.
I am a proud Muslim colored boy from Pakistan – Usman Khawaja
Addressing an emotional retirement press convention, Khawaja stated that he’s a “proud Muslim colored boy from Pakistan”.
“I am a proud Muslim colored boy from Pakistan who was informed he would by no means play for the Australian cricket group – take a look at me now,” Khawaja stated throughout a press convention that lasted the very best a part of an hour.
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I did not assume I might get emotional however I teared up straightaway – Usman Khawaja
Khawaja additional revealed that he informed about his retirement to the top coach Andrew McDonald and teammates after fourth Check in Melbourne.
“It has been powerful, I’ve simply wished to inform everybody,” he stated. I informed teammates simply then. I did not assume I might get emotional however I teared up straightaway and I needed to compose myself. I lastly composed myself and received out what I wished to say.
“I by no means thought I might be the man that might cry when he retired however I cried straightaway. It simply exhibits what it means to me. My journey has been totally different to loads of cricketers within the Australian cricket group. All that emotion constructed up.”
I simply need to be remembered as a humble cricketer – Usman Khawaja
The veteran opener additional stated that he simply needs to be remembered as a humble cricketer, who managed to entertain everybody.
“I simply need to be remembered as a humble cricketer who went on the market and entertained, and (that) folks loved watching,” he stated
Though Khawaja has introduced his retirement from worldwide cricket, he’ll proceed to play the Large Bash League (BBL) for the Brisbane Warmth and also will stay accessible for Queensland’s Sheffield Defend matches.
“Usman has made an enormous contribution to Australian cricket each by his excellent achievements as one in every of our most fashionable and resilient batters since his Check debut 15 years in the past, and off subject, significantly by the Usman Khawaja Basis. On behalf of Australian Cricket I wish to thank and congratulate Usman for all he has achieved,” Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said in an official assertion.
