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Usman Khawaja‘s emotional Test farewell at SCG captivates cricket fans worldwide. The Australian opener’s final outing against England in the Ashes drew tears from wife Rachel in the stands, marking the end of a storied 15-year career.
Tears flow as Usman Khawaja’s wife Rachel gets emotional in Australian veteran’s final Test
Memories filled the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 8, 2026, when Khawaja made his final walk in Test cricket during the fifth Ashes encounter. As the crowd rose in applause, cameras found his wife Rachel in the stands, tears rolling freely, reflecting the unseen sacrifices that shaped his 88-Test career.
Khawaja managed only 6 runs before chopping on to Josh Tongue, yet the moment went far beyond numbers. He dropped to his knees and kissed the pitch, then lifted his bat in farewell as his children and family looked on. The touching scenes quickly spread across social media, praised as cricket’s most heartfelt goodbyes. Speaking later to Channel 7, the 39-year-old admitted spotting Rachel and said her unwavering emotional support made everything possible.
#UsmanKhawaja has finally drawn the curtain on his illustrious career. Dismissed for 6 runs in his last Inn, Khawaja walked back to pavilion on weary legs, offering a heartfelt prostration in gratitude to the Almighty. A touching moment as wife Rachel Khawaja was seen in tears pic.twitter.com/eof4lejbI7
— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) January 8, 2026
“You don’t always get the fairy tale where I score the runs in the end. And I kind of like that in some respect. When it happened, I got over that after a few seconds. I looked over and saw Rachel. You know, my family was up there, gave them kisses and the love because without her I wouldn’t be here right now,” Khawaja stated post-match.
Here’s the video:
Thanks, Uzzy ❤️ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/h9HPM4arJy
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2026
Khawaja’s illustrious Test career legacy
Born in Islamabad and migrating to Australia as a child, Khawaja debuted at this very SCG in the 2010-11 Ashes, notching 37 and 21 against England, showcasing the elegant left-handed style that defined him. Retiring with 6,229 Test runs at 43.25, including 16 centuries, he ranks 14th on Australia’s all-time list, plus 40 ODIs and nine T20Is, as the nation’s first Muslim and Pakistan-born Test cricketer inspiring south-Asian pathways.
His SCG full-circle exit, near his childhood home, overcame early struggles, racism advocacy, and highs like key Ashes knocks, leaving Pat Cummins urging one final ton, though reality delivered grit over fairy tale. Khawaja’s candid reflection, “No perfect ending, but gratitude, resonates, cementing his off-field impact as much as his blade-like batting.
