Usman Khawaja has confirmed that the upcoming Sydney Ashes Test will be his final appearance in international cricket.

The 39-year-old veteran opener announced his decision on Friday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the same venue where he made his Test debut in 2011 and grew up watching the game.

Khawaja fronted the media with his extended family—including his parents, wife Rachel, and children—by his side.

The announcement was highly emotional. He revealed that he had broken down in tears when informing his Australian teammates just moments before the press conference.

“I never thought I'd be the guy that would cry when he retired, but I cried straightaway,” Khawaja admitted. “It just shows what it means to me. My journey has been different to a lot of cricketers in the Australian cricket team.”

His 88th and final Test brings a 15-year international career to a close.

Khawaja leaves the game as one of Australia’s most resilient cricketers. His career was often turbulent with frequent exclusions from the squad.

However, his recall to the side in 2022 sparked a golden run of form, cementing his status as a premier opener.

Beyond the statistics—which currently stand at 6,206 runs and 16 Test centuries—Khawaja’s legacy is defined by his role as a pioneer. As Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer, he became a powerful advocate for diversity in sport.

“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,” he said.

While he is stepping away from the international stage, Khawaja is not hanging up the bat entirely. He intends to continue playing for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and remains available for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield.