Australia’s opening batter Usman Khawaja has tried numerous strategies to take the voice of Gaza victims to the sphere. He first tried to play with footwear that had ‘All Lives Are Equal’ written on them. The International Cricket Council stopped him from doing so. Usman then launched a video on his social media, informing the world that every one he needed to was converse in assist of all these caught within the warfare in Gaza. Khawaja stated that some individuals had been tying to color his on-field gesture in a detrimental manner however he was hellbent on taking these indicators to the cricket area and would search approval of the world governing physique to take action.
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Khawaja was seen sporting a black armband within the 1st Test vs Pakistan in Perth. After the match, ICC reprimanded him for sporting the armband as a correct approval is required for it to be wore and it’s often carried out when a cricketer goes by way of a private loss. The cricketer was requested whether or not he was doing it for a private bereavment and he later advised media that it was for one and that it had nothing to do with the rest.
Khawaja was then noticed batting with one other peace image on his shoe, a dove with an olive department. But the opener has but once more been banned from sporting the image.
Thank you to all those that supported and gave me love this week. It wasn’t unnoticed _. Nothing worthwhile is straightforward. History exhibits we’re doomed to repeat the errors of our previous. But collectively we will struggle for a greater future. __ #freedomisahumanright #alllivesareequal pic.twitter.com/HAhbebDbCT
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 18, 2023
“The ICC, after giving due consideration to Usman Khawaja’s request for a personal message logo on his bat for the remainder of the Test series against Pakistan, did not approve the application,” stated an ICC spokesperson. “Personal messages of this nature are not allowed as per Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations, which can be found on the ICC Playing Conditions page. The ICC is supportive of players using their platforms outside of the playing arena to promote human rights, peace and equality and would encourage him to continue to use alternative platforms.”
West Indian bowling legend Michael Holding who is thought for his blunt opinions and talking up on numerous points, blasted ICC for persevering with to suppress free speech. Holding known as ICC a hypocrite physique who took a political stance themselves with Black Lives Matter motion however are not looking for a cricketer to unfold message of peace.
Speaking to The eekend Australian, Holding stated: “I have been following the Khawaja fiasco and I cannot say I’m surprised by the ICC’s stance. If it had been most other organisations that showed some semblance of consistency with their attitude and behaviour on issues I could claim surprise, but not them. Once again, they show their hypocrisy and lack of moral standing as an organisation.”
“The ICC regulations say re messaging ‘approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes’,” stated Holding. “So how individuals had been allowed to take the knee for BLM and stumps had been coated with LGBTQ colors?”
