Australia’s veteran opener Usman Khawaja has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtains down on a decorated 14-year journey. Fittingly, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)—the venue where his dream began—will also host his farewell Test in the ongoing Ashes series. Known for his grit, elegant stroke play and powerful voice both on and off the field, the 39-year-old departs as one of Australia’s most influential modern-day openers.
Throughout his career, Khawaja became a symbol of resilience, repeatedly bouncing back stronger every time he was dropped. Alongside his cricketing genius, he never hesitated to speak openly about Australian cricket culture, his identity as a Pakistan-born Australian, and broader global issues.
Ahead of his final match, Khawaja ranks 15th among Australia’s all-time Test run scorers, with 6,206 runs in 87 Tests at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries and 28 fifties, with a career-best of 232. Across all three formats, he stands 19th on Australia’s run charts, having scored 8,001 international runs in 136 matches at an average of 42.33, supported by 18 centuries and 41 half-centuries.
Master of the Subcontinent
Despite growing up in Australian conditions, Khawaja carved out one of the best records any visiting opener has produced in Asia. In 13 Tests across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and UAE, he amassed 1,390 runs at a staggering 82.77 average, including five centuries and six fifties, with a top score of 232.
He is among the rare Australian openers to score centuries in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, building a reputation as one of the finest players of spin. His dominant performances feature a remarkable 2022 series in Pakistan, where he topped the charts with 496 runs in three Tests at 165.33 and guided Australia to their first away series win against Pakistan since 2002–03. He was also Australia’s leading scorer in the 2022–23 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India with 333 runs, including a superb 180 and a gritty 60 on a treacherous Indore pitch.
Beyond statistics, Khawaja’s runs helped Australia end long-standing droughts in Asia, famously leading series success in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and contributing crucial knocks in India. He remains the only Australian after Allan Border to have Test centuries in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Among Australia’s Finest Openers
Though often overshadowed by giants like Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer and David Warner, Khawaja’s numbers stand shoulder to shoulder with the greats. As a Test opener, he scored 3,412 runs at 48.05, including eight centuries and 15 fifties, placing him among Australia’s best statistically — especially considering his superior Asian record.
A Career Defined by Comebacks
Dropped multiple times — reportedly at least seven — Khawaja’s career could have faded early. Instead, he rebuilt himself every time. Early struggles in Asia and England transformed into redemption arcs, particularly his triumphant return in 2023 Ashes in England, where he finished as the series’ top scorer with 496 runs, including a stunning century at Edgbaston and several defining knocks.
A Phenomenal Late-Career Renaissance
While many cricketers slow down in their late 30s, Khawaja did the opposite. From 2022 to 2023, he produced 2,290 Test runs in 24 matches at 58.72, with seven centuries and 11 fifties, playing a key role in Australia’s 2023 ICC World Test Championship triumph. He finished as Australia’s top scorer in that WTC cycle with 1,621 runs at 64.84.
A Quiet but Strong White-Ball Contributor
Though known for his Test heroics, Khawaja was also a solid limited-overs performer. He made 1,554 ODI runs at 42 with two centuries, and featured in Australia’s 2019 World Cup campaign, scoring 316 runs. He also contributed in T20Is with 241 runs at a strike rate above 132.
Usman Khawaja bows out as a cricketer who combined elegance with determination, statistics with spirit, and resilience with excellence. His farewell at Sydney will not just mark the end of a career—but the celebration of a journey defined by courage, class, and relentless belief.