Usman Khawaja’s journey will end with the Ashes, Sydney Test will be the last match of his international career

Tezzbuzz Desk- Australia’s senior opening batsman Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from his international cricket career on Friday. 39-year-old Khawaja will bid goodbye to international cricket after the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series starting in Sydney from January 4. This test will be the 88th and last test match of his career.

Khawaja announced his retirement at a press conference held on Friday morning, where his family was also present. “I announce my retirement from all forms of international cricket after the Sydney Test. Cricket has given me more than I ever expected – memories, friendships and life lessons that will stay with me off the field as well,” he said emotionally.

Expressing gratitude to his family, he said that no career is possible alone. “The sacrifices that my parents and my wife made never made headlines. My father had more faith than me that I would play for Australia. I will always be grateful to him for that faith.”

Usman Khawaja started his international career in 2011 at the age of 25 with the Sydney Test of the Ashes series. He became the first cricketer of Pakistan origin to play international cricket for Australia.

Age, recent form and the strategy of giving opportunities to young players are being considered as the main reasons for his retirement. He has played three out of four Tests in the current Ashes series. He could not play in the Brisbane Test due to injury. In the five innings of this series, he has scored 2, 82, 40, 0 and 29 runs. In the last 15 Test innings, only one half-century has come from his bat. Khawaja will try to end his career with a memorable innings in the Sydney Test.