Usman Khawaja Retires from Cricket, Reveals Struggles with Racial Stereotypes During Career
Australia, Dec 02 ; Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket, confirming that the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will mark his final appearance for the national side. The 39 year old left hander made the announcement during a heartfelt 50-minute press conference on Friday, attended by his family.
Khawaja, the first Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia, will continue playing domestic cricket, representing Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and remaining available for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield.
Over a 15-year international career, Khawaja scored over 8,000 runs across formats, including 6,206 Test runs with 16 centuries, 40 ODIs, and nine T20Is. Should he score 30 runs in his farewell Test, he will surpass Michael Hussey’s tally of 6,235 to become Australia’s 14th highest Test run scorer.
“God, through cricket, has given me far more than I could have imagined. Memories, friendships, lessons my journey has been very different to a lot of cricketers in the Australian team,” Khawaja said emotionally.
Khawaja opens up on racial stereotypes faced in career
Khawaja also spoke candidly about racial stereotypes and unfair scrutiny he faced during his career. After suffering back spasms during a Test in Perth, he was criticized by media and former players for playing golf beforehand, with some labelling him “lazy.”
“I’ve always felt a little bit different… I’m a coloured cricketer. The criticism I faced was personal and echoed the racial stereotypes I’ve grown up with. I’ve never seen anyone else in the Australian team treated like that,” he said.
Coming from a Pakistani immigrant family, Khawaja highlighted the double standards in media scrutiny, pointing out that other players often faced injuries or off-field issues without similar backlash.
“There’s still a little bit out there that I have to fight every single day… when I get injured, everyone goes at my credibility and who I am as a person,” he added.
Khawaja finishes his international career as one of Australia’s most prolific modern-era Test batters, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, skill, and trailblazing representation for minority players in Australian cricket.
