Australia’s veteran batter Usman Khawaja announced on Friday that he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and final Ashes Test against England, drawing the curtain on a 15-year career while strongly criticising what he described as persistent “racial stereotyping” in Australian cricket.
The 39-year-old left-hander said the Sydney Test, which begins on January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, would be his final appearance should he be selected. The match will mark a full-circle moment, as Khawaja made his Test debut at the same venue against England in 2011.
Read More: I was termed ‘lazy’ because of Pakistan background: Usman Khawaja
“The number one emotion is contentment,” Khawaja told reporters. “I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have. I hope I have inspired people along the way.”
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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
Born in Islamabad, Khawaja migrated to Australia as a child and became the country’s first Pakistan-born and first Muslim Test cricketer. He said his journey was marked by prejudice and doubt. “I’m a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for Australia. Look at me now,” he said.
Khawaja has scored 6,206 runs in 87 Tests at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries. He also represented Australia in 40 one-day internationals and nine T20 matches. His career-high 232 came against Sri Lanka last year.
The current Ashes series has been turbulent for Khawaja. He suffered a back injury in the opening Test in Perth, was dropped for subsequent matches, and returned only after Steve Smith withdrew ill. He said criticism of his injury and preparation crossed a line.
“The way the media and past players attacked me was disappointing,” he said. “They questioned my commitment and called me lazy. These are racial stereotypes I thought we had moved past.”
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Despite the frustration, Khawaja said he was satisfied to retire on his own terms and praised the opportunity to finish his career at his home ground.