Usman Khawaja to retire after the Ashes finale.

With the veteran batsman confirming his retirement at the conclusion of the Ashes series, Usman Khawaja’s Test cricket career will come full circle and conclude in Sydney.
Khawaja confirmed he would take up stumps next week at a news conference in Sydney on Friday morning, following months of conjecture about his future.

The 39-year-old disclosed that Australia coach Andrew McDonald encouraged him to continue playing despite his willingness to quit over the previous summer. Khawaja voiced his annoyance at the media and past players for “attacking” him and pushing him toward retirement in recent years.

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In addition to thanking his family and mentor Bill Anderson, Khawaja expressed his aim of inspiring young people across.

“You are free to do as you please. “You just need to keep trying,” he remarked. “I am a proud Pakistani Muslim lad of colour who was informed that he would never be able to represent Australia in cricket. Now look at me. You are also capable of doing the same.

The left-hander has already been Australia’s 15th best run scorer in history with 6206, and his choice means he will finish with 88 Tests to his name.

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USMAN KHAWAJA’S TEST CAREER:

Tests: 87

Runs: 6206

Average: 43.39

Centuries: 16

Half-centuries: 28