The memorable journey of this Pakistan-born Australian player will come to an end…the press conference was emotional

Usman Khawaja retirement press conference: Australia’s legendary batsman Usman Khawaja will play the last match of his international career at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4. He appears to be fully prepared for this decision. Khawaja informed fans about his retirement at a press conference, where he made some revelations and reminisced about his struggling days. Khawaja became emotional during the press conference.

Usman Khawaja was born in Islamabad, Pakistan. However, he grew up in Sydney, Australia. His Pakistani origin made it difficult for him to play for Australia. Khawaja will play his last match in Sydney. Speaking about being a Pakistani Muslim boy, Usman Khawaja said in a press conference, “I am a proud Muslim boy from Pakistan. I was told that I would never play for the Australian cricket team. Now look at me. I just want to be remembered as a humble cricketer who goes out there and entertains.”

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In 2024, Usman Khawaja wanted to retire after the Boxing Day Test against India. He also discussed it with Australian coach Andrew MacDonald, but it didn’t go through. He explained, “I told him, ‘If you want me to retire right away, I’ll do it right away. I accept that. I don’t want to wait here.’ It was very disconcerting for me at the time because I felt people were taunting me and calling me selfish, but I didn’t hold back.”

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja used his retirement speech to take aim at “right wing politicians” and their rhetoric on mass immigration and Islam, defending his views by appealing to inclusivity and pointing to his own background and mixed race family as an example. pic.twitter.com/IaesxmVUMB

— Australians vs. The Agenda (@ausvstheagenda) January 2, 2026

Talking about his career, the 39-year-old Pakistani origin batsman Usman Khawaja had scored 6206 runs at an average of 43 in 157 innings from 87 matches for Australia before the Sydney Test. This included 16 centuries and 28 fifties. He scored 1554 runs in 40 ODIs, including 2 centuries and 12 fifties. Similarly, he scored 241 runs in 9 T20 matches. In the current Ashes series, he managed just 153 runs in 5 innings at an average of 30.60, which included a half-century.