Usman Khawaja walks out to England 'guard of honour', bids farewell after Ashes win; Southpaw receives rousing ovation from crowd at SCG - Watch Video

Usman Khawaja marked the end of an illustrious Test career in fitting style on the final day of the Ashes at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The Australian southpaw walked out to a guard of honour formed by England players, a rare and heartfelt tribute that highlighted the respect he earned from rivals after a distinguished 88-Test career in 15 years of international cricket. Khawaja, who has been a stalwart in Australia’s middle order, announced his retirement ahead of the final Test, saying he wanted to bow out after an Ashes win. Fans at the SCG responded with a standing ovation as he took to the field, cheering the left-hander for his contributions to Australian cricket. The gesture reflected not only his skill and consistency but also his professionalism and sportsmanship, both on and off the field. The 39-year-old received a guard of honour from the England players as he walked out to bat for the final time at the SCG, with visiting captain Ben Stokes personally shaking his hand.


Australia sealed the final Ashes Test against England on Thursday, winning by five wickets to wrap up a commanding 4–1 series triumph and give retiring Khawaja a fitting send-off. Chasing a modest target of 160, the hosts endured some nervous moments as wickets fell, but they reached the total shortly after lunch on day five. Cameron Green finished unbeaten on 22, with Alex Carey making 16, as Australia completed the victory to cap off a hard-fought and gruelling series.



Throughout his career, Khawaja faced ups and downs, including injuries and intense competition for batting spots, yet he consistently delivered crucial performances in key matches. As he walked off the ground for the final time, the cheers from teammates, opponents, and fans alike marked a fitting farewell for one of Australia’s most respected batsmen. Khawaja leaves the game with an enduring legacy and memories that fans and players will cherish for years.

"It means a lot. The only thing I wanted was a win," Khawaja said on Fox Sports after Australia won the final Ashes Test.

"Grateful for the one last final win and to celebrate with my teammates.

"It was very tough, I was trying to act cool but the whole Test match I found it really hard to control my emotions. I found it hard to concentrate.

"I'm glad that we got over the line and it's something I'll cherish for the rest of my life. I can just relax now."

Khawaja’s career came full circle at the SCG, where he made his Test debut against England in 2011. Born in Islamabad, he moved to Australia as a child and became the country’s first Pakistan-born and first Muslim Test player. Once the only Asian first-class player in Australia, Khawaja is regarded as a trailblazer. A qualified pilot, he scored 16 Test centuries at an average above 43 and also appeared in 40 one-day internationals and nine T20 matches, inspiring a generation of cricketers.

"Some people have lost family, I am lucky my parents are still around. My family, my wife, my kids and another one on the way," an emotional Khawaja said.