Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja announces retirement

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja. (FILE photo)

Australian batter Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday. The 39-year-old said the upcoming New Year’s Ashes Test in Sydney will be his final one. “The number one emotion is contentment. I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. “I hope I have inspired people along the way.

Khawaja is a Pakistan-born Muslim who has traveled to Australia and battled the odds, representing the country. “I’m a proud Muslim, coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for the Australian cricket team. Look at me now, and you can do the same,” he said.

Ahead of the first Test in Perth, former players and a few pundits were critical of Khawaja as he had sustained a back-injury. The criticism came as the southpaw was seen playing golf leading into the Test.

“The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me – I could have copped it for two days, but I copped it for about five days straight,” he said.

Usman Khawaja in action. (FILE photo)

“The way everyone came at me about my preparation was quite personal in terms of ‘he’s not committed to the team’, ‘he was only worried about himself’, ‘he played this golf comp the day before’, ‘he’s selfish’, ‘he doesn’t train hard enough’, ‘he didn’t train the day before game’, ‘he’s lazy’.

“I can give you even more guys who have had 15 beers the night before, then got injured, and no-one’s said a word. That’s alright, they’re just being Aussie larrikins – just being lads,” he said.

“When I get injured, everyone went at my credibility and who I am as a person. Normally when someone gets injured, you feel sorry for them as a person. ‘Poor Josh Hazlewood or poor Nathan Lyon – they have got injured,’ the Australia batter said.

“On behalf of Australian cricket, I would like to thank and congratulate Usman for all he has achieved,” Australian CEO Todd Greenberg was quoted as saying by AFP.

Khawaja, in 87 Tests, scored 6206 runs at an average of 43.39 with 16 tons and 28 half-centuries to his name.