Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja will retire after the final Ashes Test, ending a 15-year career as the nation’s first Muslim Test player.
USMAN Khawaja confirmed his retirement from international cricket on Friday, with his final match set to be the fifth Ashes Test against England.
The 39-year-old will end his 15-year career should he be selected for the Sydney Test beginning on Sunday, which would be his 88th appearance for Australia.
Khawaja expressed contentment with his journey, stating he hopes to have inspired others along the way.
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“I’m a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for the Australian cricket team,” he said.
“Look at me now, and you can do the same.”
Khawaja immigrated to Australia from Islamabad as a child and became the country’s first Pakistan-born and first Muslim national cricketer.
Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg praised Khawaja’s dual contribution through his batting and his off-field foundation.
“Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket both through his outstanding achievements… and off field,” Greenberg said.
Khawaja’s foundation supports youths from refugee, immigrant, Indigenous, and poor socioeconomic backgrounds.
The veteran batsman has scored 6,206 Test runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries.
His recent Ashes series has been turbulent, featuring a back injury in Perth and subsequent omission from the team for the Brisbane and Adelaide Tests.
Khawaja expressed frustration at the media and former players’ criticism during that period.
“The way everyone came out at me about my preparation… These are the same racial stereotypes,” he said.
“I haven’t seen anyone treated like that in the Australian cricket team before.”
He admitted that not being initially selected for the Adelaide Test was a sign it was time to move on.
Khawaja also played 40 one-day internationals and nine Twenty20 matches for Australia. – AFP
