Australia’s Usman Khawaja is seen earlier than the primary 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 wasn’t allowed to put on shoes branded with a “all lives are equal” humanitarian message, so he wore a black arm band as a substitute Thursday, December 14, 2023, on Day 1 of the series-opening cricket check towards Pakistan.
The International Cricket Council intervened on Wednesday after Khawaja indicated he deliberate to put on shoes in the course of the match that featured messages to spotlight the lack of harmless lives within the Israel-Hamas battle.
Australia’s Usman Khawaja is seen on the sphere with a tape strapped on his left shoe to cover a message of assist for individuals in Gaza, having been informed it’s towards ICC guidelines, earlier than the primary day of the primary Test cricket match between Australia and Pakistan at Optus Stadium in Perth on December 14, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
The ICC’s insurance policies for worldwide cricket prohibit shows of political or non secular statements on crew uniforms or tools.
Khawaja stated he’d abide by the ruling to keep away from particular person or crew sanctions, however would problem the ICC’s stance.
“Freedom is a human right, and all rights are equal,” Khawaja stated in a social media submit. “I will never stop believing that.” Australia batted first within the five-day sport, and Khawaja and fellow Australian opener David Warner strode to the pitch together with the Pakistan fielders.
Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan and is the primary Muslim to play check cricket for Australia, wore the black armband to point out solidary with individuals struggling in Gaza.
In pre-game TV interviews, he stated there’d been precedents the place different cricketers had been allowed to point out assist for different causes.
“I discover it a little bit disappointing they got here down onerous on me and so they do not all the time come down onerous on everybody,” he said.
Cummins backs Khawaja
The 36-year-old Khawaja had some high-level support, including from Australia captain Pat Cummins and even up to the nation’s federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers.
“What was on the shoes — all lives are equal — I support that,” Cummins said. “That’s not very divisive. I don’t think anyone can really have too many complaints about that.”
Chalmers told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio that the ICC should allow Khawaja to wear the shoes.
“I don’t think it’s an especially controversial statement and I find it unusual frankly that people want to dispute that,” he stated. “The lives on one aspect of a battle are not price anymore or any lower than the lives on the opposite aspect of a battle.”
