Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja officially concluded his illustrious 15-year international career on January 8, 2026, after the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. This retirement followed his announcement on January 2, 2026. The International Cricket Council (ICC) published an article, 'A look back at the best of Usman Khawaja's Test career', on the day of his announcement, highlighting his significant contributions to Australian cricket. Khawaja, born in Pakistan, became Australia's first Muslim Test cricketer, a journey marked by both remarkable achievements and periods of exclusion. Key milestones include his comeback twin centuries at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2022 and a career-best maiden double century of 232 against Sri Lanka in Galle in January 2025. He was a crucial member of the Australian team that won the 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship and was recognized for his outstanding performance by being named the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year in 2023. His resilience and adaptability were evident in his performances, particularly against spin in subcontinental conditions. At his retirement, Khawaja candidly spoke about the 'racial stereotyping' he experienced during his career, expressing a desire for the next generation of diverse players to have a different, more equitable journey. Former teammate Steve Smith light-heartedly remarked that Khawaja 'hates' the Australian team for being dropped multiple times but also defended him against 'unfair' media criticism regarding injuries. Khawaja's departure marks the end of an era for a player who broke barriers and set a standard of professionalism and perseverance both on and off the field.