‘I am lucky to have played so many matches…’, Usman Khawaja retires from international cricket as 2026 begins

By Samira Vishwas On Jan 3, 2026

New Delhi: The last match of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series between Australia and England will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 4. Before this match, Australia has announced its 15-member team, which also includes opening batsman Usman Khawaja. Khawaja announced on 2 January that he would retire from international cricket after the Sydney Test match.

This is a memorable moment for Khawaja because he also made his international debut in 2011 on the Sydney ground itself. Now after a brilliant career of almost 15 years, he will write the last chapter of his cricket career on the same ground.

Khwaja’s statement

Regarding his retirement, Usman Khawaja said that I am very satisfied with my career and consider myself lucky that I got the opportunity to play so many matches for Australia. I hope that with this I will be able to inspire other people too. I come from Pakistan and was told that he would never be able to play for Australia. Now you can see me and I have become a big example for people too.

He further said that I am happy that I am going back with my own conditions and self-respect and will play the last match there in Sydney. When I injured my back, the cramping pain was something I couldn’t control. I could not tolerate the attacks on me by the media and old players for long.

Usman Khawaja has called time on his career after 88 Tests: pic.twitter.com/kgG3PYyzF1
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 1, 2026

Usman Khawaja’s international career

Usman Khawaja has played 87 matches in his Test career and the match to be held in Sydney will be his 88th Test. Khawaja has scored 6206 runs in Tests, which includes 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries, with an average of 43.39. Apart from this, he has played 40 ODI matches and scored 1554 runs at an average of 42, which includes 2 centuries and 12 half-centuries. In T20 International, he played 9 matches and scored 241 runs at an average of 26.77.

Usman Khawaja’s career has been an example of inspiration and struggle. This batsman of Pakistani origin made great records for Australia and will say goodbye to the cricket world by playing the last Test of his career in Sydney.