Australia’s David Warner (R) and teammate Usman Khawaja go away on the lunch break through the first day of the primary Test cricket match between Australia and Pakistan at Optus Stadium in Perth on December 14, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Australia batter Usman Khawaja has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for carrying a black armband in support of Palestinians in Gaza through the first cricket check towards Pakistan.
ICC laws forestall cricketers from displaying messages of political, spiritual or racial causes throughout worldwide matches.
Khawaja was born in Pakistan and is the primary Muslim to play check cricket for Australia.
An ICC spokesperson confirmed the cost in breach of the clothes and gear laws to Australian media.
“Usman displayed a personal message (armband) during the first test match against Pakistan without seeking the prior approval of Cricket Australia and the ICC to display it, as required in the regulations for personal messages,” it stated.
“This is a breach under the category of an other breach’ and the sanction for a first offense is a reprimand.” The cost means Khawaja can settle for a warning and proceed to play. However, he faces extra sanctions if he wears the armband once more in the second check towards Pakistan starting on December 26 in Melbourne.
