Usman Khawaja is one of Australia’s most elegant and resilient batters of the modern era — a trailblazer, a late-career powerhouse, and the first Australian cricketer of Pakistani origin and the first Muslim to wear the Baggy Green.
Across an international career spanning 88 Tests, 40 ODIs, and T20 appearances, Khawaja became renowned for his calm tempo, technical precision, and ability to anchor innings under extreme pressure. After debuting in the 2010–11 Ashes Test at the SCG, he went on to craft one of cricket’s most remarkable comeback stories, culminating in a stunning late-career surge that cemented him as a national great.
Khawaja officially retired from international cricket on 8 January 2026, following the conclusion of the Ashes 5th Test at the SCG, the very ground where his journey began.
Career Highlights
Early Life
Born in Islamabad and raised in Sydney from the age of four, Khawaja was the first Australian of Pakistani heritage to play international cricket. A standout scholar-athlete, he became a qualified commercial and instrument-rated pilot, earning his aviation degree from the University of New South Wales before making his Test debut.
International Career
Khawaja’s journey was defined by resilience: dropped multiple times through the 2010s, he rebuilt his game, earned a national contract, and later evolved into one of Australia’s most reliable Test batters. Known for his balanced temperament, textbook stroke play, and mastery against spin later in his career, Khawaja became a symbol of persistence at the elite level.
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Personal Life
He is a dual citizen of Australia and Pakistan and is known for his outspoken humanitarian perspectives and commitment to social equality. His calm leadership and humility made him a respected figure both on and off the field.
Legacy
Usman Khawaja leaves behind a legacy of breaking cultural and sporting barriers, championing integrity and equality, reinventing himself to become one of the world’s elite Test batters. Inspiring generations of multicultural Australian cricketers.
His retirement at the SCG — a poetic full-circle ending — marked the close of one of Australian cricket’s most compelling careers.
Usman Khawaja Events
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The Ashes 2025-26: Australia vs England, 5th Test, Day 5
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The Ashes 2025-26: Australia vs England, 5th Test, Day 1
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- Cricket
- Price
- Willow