The opening batsman of the Australia National Cricket Team, who has been around for quite some time, Usman Khawaja, has declared his retirement from international cricket, thus putting an end to a career lasting for 15 years.
Usman Khawaja is to take part in his 88th and final Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground and will hang up his boots after the completion of the 5th Test in the 2025-26 Ashes series.
Usman Khawaja finally says goodbye
One of the biggest discussions around the Ashes series has been Khawaja’s retirement, with lots of cricket pundits suggesting his retirement while he himself had not given any indication of that.
The veteran left-handed batsman caught everyone’s eye during the first Test when he could not bat due to a back spasm, and he then missed the following Test as well.
This left Jake Weatherald in the top order as an opener, and by promoting Travis Head, Khawaja’s part in the Aussie team was greatly diminished.
So now, he is all set for a classic Sydney farewell, and he can even end up being the 14th-highest run-scorer for Australia in the red-ball format if he scores just 30 runs in his last match.
As of now, Usman Khawaja has a record of 6206 runs in 157 innings at an average of 43.39, during which he has scored 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries.
“I’m a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan – Usman Khawaja”
In a very emotional retirement press conference from the Australian National Team, Khawaja, who has been a professional cricketer for over a decade in Australia, claimed: “I am a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan.”
“I am a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan who was not supposed to play ever for the Australian cricket team – look at me now,” Khawaja said during a very hourlong press talk.
“I didn’t think I would get emotional but I teared up immediately – Usman Khawaja”
Khawaja further disclosed that he had told the head coach Andrew McDonald and the teammates about his retirement after the fourth Test in Melbourne.
“It’s been hard for me, I’ve just wanted to tell everyone,” he said. I just told my colleagues right then. I didn’t expect to get emotional but tears came to my eyes immediately, and I had to collect myself. I eventually gathered myself and let out what I wanted to say.
“I never imagined that I would be the kind who would cry at retirement but I cried immediately. It clearly demonstrates how much it means to me. My journey has been quite different from that of most of the cricketers in the Australian cricket team. All of that emotion got accumulated.”
I merely wish to be recorded as a modest cricketer – Usman Khawaja
The seasoned batsman further remarked that he would like to be remembered as a modest cricketer who could debase everyone’s faces with laughter.
Khawaja quoted, “I just wish to be recorded as a modest cricketer who performed on the stage and entertained, and (that) people liked to watch.”
Even though Khawaja has declared his retirement from the international scene, he will still participate in the Brisbane Heat’s Big Bash League (BBL) and will also be available for the Queensland side in the Sheffield Shield.
“Usman has been a massive asset to the Australian cricket scene through his remarkable achievements as one of our most elegant and strong-willed batters since his Test debut 15 years ago, and also through his tireless efforts off the field, notably through the Usman Khawaja Foundation. On behalf of the whole of Australian cricket I want to convey our heartfelt thanks to and give our warmest congratulations to Usman,” Todd Greenberg, Cricket Australia CEO, expressed in an official release.
Comments are closed.