Quote of the Day by Usman Khawaja: 'I've learned that not everything in life is in our control. I train my best, but then it's all up to Allah, and Allah is the...'

Usman Khawaja is one of Australian cricket’s most respected and influential figures, admired not only for his batting but for the journey he represents. Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, Khawaja migrated to Australia as a child and grew up near the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), dreaming of one day playing for his adopted country. In 2011, that dream became reality when he made his Test debut against England at the SCG, becoming Australia’s first Pakistan-born and first Muslim Test cricketer.

Khawaja’s career was marked by resilience. He faced periods in and out of the side, battled injuries, racial stereo-typing and endured intense competition for places, yet repeatedly fought his way back through sheer consistency and mental strength. A technically sound left-hander, he became known for his patience, strong defence and ability to bat for long periods, particularly in challenging conditions.

Quote of the Day - "I've learned that not everything in life is in our control. I train my best, but then it's all up to Allah, and Allah is the best of planners. If he wasn't, I wouldn't be here right now," is attributed to Usman Khawaja, who spoke openly and from the heart after announcing his retirement from international cricket.



Meaning of the quote

The quote shows Usman Khawaja’s belief in staying humble, trusting his faith and accepting what life brings. He understands that while hard work, discipline and preparation matter, they don’t always decide the final result. By saying he trains his best, Khawaja takes responsibility for his effort. By leaving the outcome to Allah, he shows trust in a bigger plan beyond his control. Saying 'Allah is the best of planners' reflects finding peace in uncertainty and setbacks. Overall, the quote is about resilience, gratitude and balancing effort with faith, reminding us that success is shaped by belief as much as hard work.


Across his 88-Test journey, which spanned 15 years, Khawaja scored 6,229 runs at an average of 43.25, including 16 centuries, finishing 14th on Australia’s all-time run-scoring list. He also represented the country in 40 ODIs and nine T20Is. Beyond the numbers, his impact extended far wider. At one stage the only Asian player in Australia’s first-class system, Khawaja is widely regarded as a trailblazer who opened doors for greater diversity in the sport.

Khawaja earned universal respect for his professionalism and integrity. His farewell at the SCG, greeted with a guard of honour from the England players and a standing ovation from the SCG crowd, was a fitting end to a remarkable Australian cricket story.