TOP STORIES
Usman Khawaja to walk away from international cricket following SCG Test
Usman Khawaja has chosen the most personal of stages for his final act in Test cricket. Australia’s senior batter confirmed on Friday that the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney will be his last appearance in the longest format, bringing down the curtain on a terrific career. The match will be his 88th Test.
Khawaja spoke to the media at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday morning, revealing his decision only moments after informing his Australian teammates ahead of their training session.
"I lived just up the road from the SCG, on Cook Road, to be exact. And I'll never forget when I was younger, I saw Michael Slater drive in his red Ferrari I couldn't believe my luck; I just saw a Test cricketer. And as a boy whose parents were barely scraping through and trying to provide for their kids in a little two-bedroom apartment, I thought, 'One day I'm going to be a Test cricketer, and one day I can drive whatever I want,'" Khawaja said at the press conference.
"Never did I think that God would grant me such a wish. I'm here to announce today that I'll be retiring from all international cricket after the SCG Test match."
Sydney holds special significance for Khawaja. Having migrated to Australia as a child and grown up in the city’s western suburbs, his journey from local cricket to the Australian legend has been an extraordinary inspiration. Sydney is the ground where he made his debut against England in 2011.
"I'm a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan who was told he would never play for the Australian cricket team. Look at me now," Khawaja said.
"I hope I repaid your sacrifice in leaving everything behind in Pakistan to come to Australia to give us kids a better life. Eighty-eight Test matches, Dad. Is that enough? Okay."
Tags
More News
"We keep talking about developing him": Indian coach gives brutal assessment of Nitish Reddy's performance
Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate gave an honest assessment in the wake of India’s defeat in the second ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday in Rajkot. Doeschate spoke candidly on all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy’s performances while also flagging concerns about captain Rohit Sharma’s match readiness.
Reddy, who was the only change in India’s playing XI for the seco...
Canada unveil T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Canada have unveiled their 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026. All-rounder Dilpreet Bajwa has been named captain and will lead the side as they look to make an impact on the global stage.
Canada are featuring in Group D, alongside South Africa, New Ze...
Pakistan to host Australia ahead of T20I World Cup 2026
Pakistan are set to host Australia in a three-match T20I series in the build-up to the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The series will be crucial for both sides in their preparations for the global event.
This will also mark Australia’s return to T20 cricket in Pakistan after a four-year gap. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium ...
WPL 2026: Struggling UP Warriorz lock horns with high-flying MI
UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians are ready to cross swords in the eighth match of the ongoing WPL 2026 encounter, scheduled to be played on Thursday in Navi Mumbai. Both sides head into the contest from contrasting positions on the points table. On one hand, UP Warriorz are still searching for a win, and on the other, Mumbai Indians are brimming with confidence w...
ACB limits players' availability to three foreign leagues per year
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has taken a massive step by approving a new policy that limits their players’ participation in overseas leagues. Under the decision, Afghan cricketers will be allowed to feature in only three international franchise leagues per year, in addition to competing in the board’s own upcoming five-team franchise-based T20 tournament.
"To prote...
Android App
iOS App
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram