Veteran Australia batter Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket confirming that the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be his final appearance for the national side.
Khawaja made the announcement during a 50-minute press conference on Friday, attended by his family.
The left-hander will play his final international match in his home city of Sydney, where he made his Test debut against England back in 2011.
The 39-year-old will continue to play domestic cricket, representing Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and remaining available for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield.
Veteran Australia batter #UsmanKhawaja announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket confirming that the fifth #Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be his final appearance for the national side.
Read More- https://t.co/EayTtDZisI… pic.x.com/hPezynnd5y— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) January 2, 2026
Over a 15-year international career, Khawaja amassed over 8,000 runs across formats, featuring in 87 Tests, 40 ODIs, and nine T20Is. He finishes as one of Australia’s most prolific Test batters of the modern era, scoring 6,206 Test runs, including 16 centuries. Should he score 30 runs in his farewell Test, Khawaja will surpass Michael Hussey’s tally of 6,235, moving into 14th place among Australia’s leading men’s Test run-scorers.
“I’m here to announce today that I will be retiring from all international cricket after the SCG Test match,” Khawaja told reporters.
“God, through cricket, has given me far more than I could have imagined. He’s given me memories I’ll carry forever, friendships that go well beyond the game, and lessons that have shaped who I am off the field. But no career belongs to one person. I obviously had a lot of help. To my parents, thank you for your sacrifices that never made the highlights reel.”
Khawaja draws the curtain on his career as one of only 18 Australians to score more than 15 Test centuries. He also ends his international journey with 49 limited-overs appearances, including two ODI centuries.
The opener revealed that he had already informed head coach Andrew McDonald of his decision following the fourth Test in Melbourne.
“It’s been tough. I’ve just wanted to tell everyone,” Khawaja said.
“I told the teammates just then. I didn’t think I’d get emotional, but I teared up straight away and had to compose myself.
“I never thought I’d be the guy who would cry when he retired, but I cried immediately. It just shows what it means to me. My journey has been very different to a lot of cricketers in the Australian team, and all that emotion just built up.”
Usman Khawaja opened up on “racial stereotypes” he faced throughout his career
Khawaja, the first Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia, called out the racial stereotypes he faced following a back injury sustained while playing golf ahead of the Perth Test.
He suffered back spasms during the second innings of that match and was forced not to open the batting. Media commentary and criticism from former players followed, questioning his dedication and preparation, with some labelling him “lazy” for playing golf before the Test.
“I’ve always felt a little bit different, even now,” Khawaja said.
“I’m a coloured cricketer. The Australian cricket team is our pride and joy, but I’ve felt different in the way I’ve been treated. I had back spasms, something I couldn’t control. But the way the media and past players attacked me was personal. It went on for five days, and it wasn’t even about performance.”
He added that the criticism echoed stereotypes he had faced throughout his life.
“They questioned my commitment and my preparation, called me selfish and lazy. These are the same racial stereotypes I’ve grown up with. I thought we had moved past it, but clearly we haven’t. I’ve never seen anyone else in the Australian team treated like that.”
Coming from a Pakistani immigrant family, Khawaja pointed out that other Australian players had not faced similar scrutiny after being injured while playing golf before matches.
“There’s still a little bit out there that I have to fight every single day, and that’s the frustrating part. I can give you countless examples of players who played golf the day before a game and got injured—no one said a word.
“I can give you even more examples of guys who had 15 schooners the night before and then got injured. That’s fine, they’re just Aussie larrikins. But when I get injured, everyone goes at my credibility and who I am as a person.”