[VIDEO] How would you judge Usman Khawaja as an international cricketer?

[BouncerGuy]

Usman Khawaja has announced that he will retire from international cricket after the NRMA Insurance Pink Test this week, playing his 88th and final Test at the ground where he began his first-class career.

Khawaja, 39, informed his teammates this morning that he would be retiring 15 years after making his Test debut in 2011 and having scored well over 6000 Test runs.

He also leaves a strong legacy off field as Australia's first Pakistan-born and first Muslim Test cricketer, and through the Usman Khawaja Foundation.

Khawaja made his first-class debut in 2008 and Test debut in 2011, both at the SCG. He also played 49 one-day internationals for Australia.

He has accumulated more than 15000 first-class runs including for New South Wales and Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. He captained Queensland to the Shield title in 2020-21.

He was ICC Test Cricketer of the year and Shane Warne Test Cricketer of the year in 2023, when a crucial member of Australia's World Test championship winning team.

On his retirement Usman Khawaja said:

“The number one emotion is contentment. I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have.

'I hope I have inspired people along the way."

Todd Greenberg, Cricket Australia CEO said:

"Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket both through his outstanding achievements as one of our most stylish and resilient batters since his Test debut 15 years ago, and off field, particularly through the Usman Khawaja Foundation.

"On behalf of Australian Cricket I would like to thank and congratulate Usman for all he has achieved.

"Usman has been one of Australia's most reliable opening batters and testament to his success was him being named ICC Test cricketer of the year the same season that Australia won the World Test Championship.

"We look forward to celebrating his significant contribution to the game at the Pink Test this week."

View attachment WhatsApp Video 2026-01-02 at 10.09.00 AM.mp4

 

[jamie smith fan]

A good test player.
Probably played less odis as i think he should have played more odis given he was a very good odi bat as well.

 

[Hitman]

Good Test batsman for sure. An average of more than 43 with 16 centuries don't come just like that. And most of all, you don't get to play 87 Tests for Australia if you are not good. This is Australia we are speaking about.​

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Averaging 43 in tests as an opener is an amazing feat.

Of all the Aussie openers I have seen, I will put him at 5

Hayden
Langer
Warner
Katich
Khawaja

 

[BouncerGuy]

Best of the best - Usman Khawaja's chartbusters

Usman Khawaja has announced that the Ashes Test at the SCG will be the last of his career. It will be his 88th match across a 15-year Australia career which has, so far, brought 16 centuries. Here we pick out six of his best innings.

174 vs New Zealand, Brisbane, 2015

The first century is always special, but for Khawaja, his came on return to the side after more than two years out and with a previous top score of 65 in nine outings. He was granted an ideal foundation, walking out at No. 3 after Joe Burns and David Warner had added 161, but he made the most of the opportunity. Against a New Zealand attack that did not live up to expectation, he amassed 174 off 239 deliveries in a massive Australia total. "It was just elation, the biggest amount of emotional relief," he said at the time. "The first one is always the hardest, I've said, so it's massive for me." After the first, more quickly followed with Khawaja making three further hundreds in his next four Tests.

145 vs South Africa, Adelaide, 2016

As history shows, Khawaja would become a Test opening batter, but on this occasion he took the role at the last minute. Sensing an opportunity to disrupt Australia with Warner off the field, Faf du Plessis declared late on the opening night under floodlights, forcing a change in the order. Khawaja emerged alongside debutant Matt Renshaw and scripted what would be a match-winning century as Australia started to pick up the pieces from an embarrassing performance in Hobart. Khawaja batted throughout the entire second day, eventually falling to Vernon Philander after facing 308 deliveries in nearly eight hours at the crease.

141 vs Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2018

This was one of the great match-saving innings and hugely significant for Khawaja, who had fought perceptions that he couldn't play in subcontinent conditions. It also came at a low-ebb for Australian cricket, playing their first Test series since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa which left them without Warner and Steven Smith. Khawaja had already resisted for 85 in the first innings, but Australia had suffered a stunning collapse from 142 without loss to 202 all out. They were then set 462 to win, or a day-and-a-half to survive. Few gave them a chance, especially at 87 for 3. But Khawaja could not be shifted for 302 balls across more than eight-and-a-half hours to take Australia to the brink of a draw. When he was finally lbw to Yasir Shah, Pakistan struck quickly but new captain Tim Paine ensured Khawaja's heroics were not wasted.

137 vs England, Sydney, 2022

Khawaja had been dropped again during the 2019 Ashes, and it felt like it could have been for the final time. But he was back around the enlarged squad for the 2021-22 Ashes, and when Travis Head caught Covid before the New Year's Test, Khawaja was recalled to bat in the middle order. He took the view it might be his last chance and produced an emotional century across the first two days. He wasn't done there, either. He doubled up in the second innings. "Looking back on it, it seems like a fairy tale," Khawaja told ESPNcricinfo before the current Ashes. "It literally does. I wasn't supposed to play. It was the best individual cricketing moment of my life. It's very special, something I'll never forget. I'm very grateful it happened." It made Khawaja undroppable, so he was moved up the order to open at the expense of Marcus Harris.

160 vs Pakistan, Karachi, 2022

Ultimately, this century did not come in victory, with Babar Azam's epic earning a draw, but it was an innings of vast personal significant for Khawaja, playing in his homeland as Australia returned after a gap of 24 years. The pitch was friendly (albeit Pakistan only made 148 in their first innings) but having fallen three runs short of a century in the first Test in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad where he was born, Khawaja ensured he wouldn't miss out this time, bringing up the hundred from 193 balls in an innings where he showed various gears. Cries of "Khawaja, Khawaja" rang around the stadium. "This is where the Khawajas are from. This is my home," he said.

141 vs England, Edgbaston, 2023

In a match of contrasts, Khawaja was at the crease for 34 more overs than England's entire first innings. Having held an average of 17.78 in England before this match, he glued together Australia's innings which had stuttered at 29 for 2, 67 for 3 and 148 for 4, ensuring they got within touching distance of being even on first innings. By the time he was yorked by Ollie Robinson and given an almighty send-off, Khawaja had batted for touching on eight hours. "Not that I have a point to prove, but it's nice to go out and score runs for Australia just to show everyone that the last ten years haven't been a fluke," Khawaja said. For good measure, he would add 65 from 197 balls (in more than five hours) during the chase in what became a personal tour-de-force in Australia's thrilling two-wicket win which would shape an Ashes epic.

CI

 

[Hitman]

Averaging 43 in tests as an opener is an amazing feat.

Of all the Aussie openers I have seen, I will put him at 5

Hayden
Langer
Warner
Katich
Khawaja

You didn't see Mark Taylor? Was a fine Test opener.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

You didn't see Mark Taylor? Was a fine Test opener.

No, didn’t see slater and Taylor.

 

[Tera Gawaandi]

Sort of an underachiever, he was rated very highly by the likes of Ricky Ponting.

An emotion-driven player, he didn’t always show the mental toughness his immense talent deserved. He got carried away, whether personal issues with Justin Langer, the Palestine cause, or his treatment by the press. He let things get to his head. Australian legends are defined by their mental strength, and in that regard, Khwaja ultimately fell short.

 

[Obaidd]

Khawaja talked about race and other stuff on his retirement.

"At the age of 25 I tried so hard to fit into the Australian cricket team. I was trying to dress like all the boys; I was going out to the clubs even though I didn't drink," said Khawaja.

"I tried all that and it didn't get work. I'd still get dropped from the Australian cricket team.

"I get it - my name isn't John Smith. When the 50-50 calls happen they're just not going my way. Why am I trying to be like everybody else?

"I'm hoping the journey for the next Usman Khawaja is a bit easier and we get to a line, however many generations, where that Usman Khawaja is the same as John Smith. That's what I've been trying to champion the whole time.

"We're a lot better and a more inclusive society than we've been before, but there's still a way to go because Australian cricket is still very white in a lot of respects”.

Source:BBC

It must be important for him to say this stuff on his retirement, I can’t judge him. I can’t imagine the kind of barriers he must have faced and broken.

 

[Hitman]

Why would anyone go out to clubs and bars if they don't drink? Just to appease others? What a shame!​

 

[DeadlyVenom]

A very good test player.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Khawaja talked about race and other stuff on his retirement.

"At the age of 25 I tried so hard to fit into the Australian cricket team. I was trying to dress like all the boys; I was going out to the clubs even though I didn't drink," said Khawaja.

"I tried all that and it didn't get work. I'd still get dropped from the Australian cricket team.

"I get it - my name isn't John Smith. When the 50-50 calls happen they're just not going my way. Why am I trying to be like everybody else?

"I'm hoping the journey for the next Usman Khawaja is a bit easier and we get to a line, however many generations, where that Usman Khawaja is the same as John Smith. That's what I've been trying to champion the whole time.

"We're a lot better and a more inclusive society than we've been before, but there's still a way to go because Australian cricket is still very white in a lot of respects”.

Source:BBC

It must be important for him to say this stuff on his retirement, I can’t judge him. I can’t imagine the kind of barriers he must have faced and broken.

A sports dressing room is a difficult place to fit in. Especially in a culture like the Aussie culture. You have to be seen as a team man, and young white males have a unique way of bonding. The university Freshers culture is quite similar.

Players like Khwaja make it easier for the next generation. Just like players like Monty Panesar, Moeen etc have done for us here in the UK.

 

[Red-Indian]

Why would anyone go out to clubs and bars if they don't drink? Just to appease others? What a shame!​

Why not? A couple of guys in my friends group join often - one a Jain and one a Muslim. They enjoy the fun and banter; there's no pressure on them to drink and they don't moralise either. They're often lifesavers in fact - the designated drivers.

Khawaja seems like a nice guy and unless he's seriously offended by the clubs and drinking, I'm sure he enjoys the interactions. Given the culture in Australia, it must be a useful way to remain part of the group.

 

[Devadwal]

He's neither a great player nor a below-average player. He's just an Decent player who is easily replaceable.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Averaging 43 in tests as an opener is an amazing feat.

Of all the Aussie openers I have seen, I will put him at 5

Hayden
Langer
Warner
Katich
Khawaja

Fair ranking.

Katich I believe wasn't treated too fairly. Seemed like a player who could play 100 tests.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

He's neither a great player nor a below-average player. He's just an Decent player who is easily replaceable.

I think he will be difficult to be replaced.

There is a gap between the current Aussie test team and the next in line.

Thats why Khawja is playing until he's almost 40. The new guys haven't shown they can get into the side and dismantle the older players.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Average player in the first half of his Test career. Top class in the second half.

Average white ball batsman

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think what he has been able to achieve in Australian cricket as a Pakistani-origin/Asian player adds a layer to it, because I can't imagine it was easy breaking through in such a white-dominated culture. And I do think he has broken barriers for future South Asian players in Australia, who will look up to him as a role model.

I'd say he was a good player who played some crucial knocks for Australia home and away. His record in Asia in particular is one of the best for Australia ever. If it wasn't for the comeback he made in 2022, I doubt we would even be talking about him right now, but then again, that's a testament to how far hard work and perseverance can take you in this sport.