Ashes 2025-26: Pat Cummins makes special request to Usman Khawaja ahead of his farewell Test in Sydney

As Australia prepare for the final chapter of the Ashes 2025–26 series, emotions are running high in the home camp with Usman Khawaja set to play his final international match. Ahead of the fifth Test at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, Australian captain Pat Cummins shared a heartfelt message for his longtime teammate, making a special request that perfectly captured the sentiment surrounding Khawaja’s swansong.

Pat Cummins’ message for a departing Usman Khawaja

Pat Cummins, who leads Australia in both Tests and ODIs, took to social media to congratulate Khawaja on a distinguished international career. Along with his message, Cummins shared a photograph featuring the pair and expressed a simple yet powerful wish — for Khawaja to sign off with one more century at his home venue.

“Congratulations on an incredible career, mate. One more home century to go,” Cummins wrote, echoing the hopes of fans and teammates alike as Australia brace for an emotional farewell.

A full-circle moment at the SCG

The Sydney Test carries deep significance for Khawaja. It was at the same ground back in 2011 that he made his Test debut against England during the Ashes series, stepping in after Ricky Ponting was ruled out through injury. Nearly 15 years later, Khawaja will walk out at the SCG once more, this time knowing it will be his final appearance in international cricket.

Statistically, Sydney has been Khawaja’s fortress. He has amassed 875 runs from nine Tests at the venue, averaging an outstanding 87.50, with four centuries and a half-century to his name. Few Australian batters have enjoyed such dominance at the historic ground, making Cummins’ request far from unrealistic.

Also READ: Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket, SCG Test to be his final bow

The comeback that defined Usman’s legacy

One of the defining moments of Khawaja’s career also came in Sydney. During the Ashes 2021–22 series, he returned to the Test side after more than two years away and announced himself in emphatic fashion by scoring twin centuries at the SCG. That performance reignited his international career and laid the foundation for a prolific two-year run at the top level.

Khawaja carried that form into overseas conditions, playing a crucial role in Australia’s memorable 2–2 Ashes draw in England in 2023. He finished that series as the leading run-scorer with 496 runs, underlining his importance at the top of the order.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: Shoaib Bashir returns as England unveil squad for the SCG Test