Retiring Aussie batsman Usman Khawaja has credited his parents for the “sacrifices” they made in his early years as he reflected on his cricketing journey.
Ahead of his final Test match, Khawaja spoke to Fox Cricket’s Mark Howard, who asked the 39-year-old about a humorous moment during the press conference announcing his retirement on Friday.
Watch The Ashes 2025/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
During a shout out to his parents Tariq and Fozia, Khawaja quipped, “88 Test matches Dad, is that enough?”
Khawaja explained the comment to Howard an hour before play began at the SCG on Day 1.
“He might have wanted 100 knowing Tariq,” Khawaja said.
“He literally and uprooted our whole lives to come to Australia. We had decent lives in Pakistan.
“We had decent lives in Pakistan. We had a decent big house, Mum had a leisurely life over there and he left all of that just to give us a better lifestyle over here.
“I remember when Mum being quite upset when moving to Australia and I never understood it when I was young, but now I get it. Her whole life got turned upside down.”
5TH TEST LIVE: Unthinkable SCG reality as shock XI revealed in Aussie gamble
TALKING PTS: ‘Bazball’ fail could spell doom for one man; Oz ‘threat’ put on notice
Khawaja said his family struggled initially in Australia but looking back, says he couldn’t be more grateful for what his parents did to help put him in the position to represent his country in 88 Tests and become one of Australia’s most successful batsmen – a journey he says he “wouldn’t change for the world”.
“We struggled with coming to Australia at the start. The currency change was hard, Dad couldn’t find a new job, he didn’t have a job when he came here so looking back on the sacrifices he made for us kids was why I said to my Dad is this enough.
“No Test match would have been enough but my Dad just loves cricket so every time I go out and play I know I’m putting a smile on his face.
“It has been a ride. Even playing one Test was amazing but to do it for 15 odd years and 88 matches, it’s quite surreal.
My journey has been up and down. It’s taken me quite a while to get those 88 matches but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Discussion about this post