Veteran Australian nationwide cricket staff opening batsman Usman Khawaja has introduced his retirement from worldwide cricket, bringing his 15-year profession to an finish.
Usman Khawaja will play the 88th and closing Take a look at match of his profession on the Sydney Cricket Floor and retire after the fifth match of the Ashes 2025-26.
Usman Khawaja lastly says goodbye
Khawaja’s retirement has develop into one of many greatest speaking factors of the continuing Ashes collection as a number of cricket specialists known as for his retirement although the batsman didn’t depart any trace.
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The veteran left-handed batsman was within the highlight after being unable to open the primary Take a look at because of again spasms, and he additionally missed the next Assessments.
With Jake Weatherald securing a top-order spot as an opener and Travis Head promoted, Khawaja’s function within the Australian staff has been considerably decreased.
He’s now primed for a standard Sydney efficiency and will end as Australia’s 14th highest run-getter within the red-ball format if he can rating one other 30 factors within the closing match.
Thus far, Usman Khawaja has scored 6206 runs in 157 innings at a mean of 43.39, 16 tons and 28 fifties.
I’m a proud Muslim boy from Pakistan – Usman Khawaja
In an emotional retirement press convention, Khawaja mentioned he was a “proud Muslim boy from Pakistan”.
“I am a proud Muslim boy from Pakistan, however I used to be informed I might by no means play for the Australian cricket staff. Have a look at me now,” Khawaja mentioned at a press convention that lasted about an hour.
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I did not count on to get emotional, however I instantly burst into tears – Usman Khawaja
Khawaja additional revealed that he spoke to move coach Andrew McDonald and his teammates about retiring after the fourth Take a look at in Melbourne.
“It has been robust. I simply wished to let everybody know,” he mentioned. I informed my teammates on the time. I did not count on to get emotional, however I discovered myself crying rapidly, so I attempted to calm myself down. I lastly calmed down and was in a position to say what I wished to say.
“I by no means thought I’d be the one to cry when he retired, however I cried immediately. It reveals what it means to me. My journey to this point has been totally different to lots of cricketers within the Australian cricket staff. All these feelings have constructed up.”
I simply wish to be remembered as a humble cricketer – Usman Khawaja
The veteran opener additional mentioned that he simply needs to be remembered as a humble cricketer who managed to entertain everybody.
“I simply wish to be remembered as a humble cricketer who went on the market and entertained and other people loved watching,” he mentioned.
Khawaja has introduced his retirement from worldwide cricket however will proceed to play within the Huge Bash League (BBL) for the Brisbane Warmth and can proceed to function in Sheffield Defend matches in Queensland.
“Usman has made an enormous contribution to Australian cricket since his Take a look at debut 15 years in the past, as one of the fashionable batsmen, and particularly off the sector, notably by the Usman Khawaja Basis. On behalf of Australian cricket, I wish to thank and congratulate him on all his achievements,” Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg mentioned in an official assertion.
