Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja made headlines on his return to Big Bash League 2024 on Thursday, January 10. Khawaja displayed peace symbols on his sneakers through the Brisbane Heat’s 23-run win over Perth Scorchers at Brisbane Cricket Ground.
After getting a agency no from the ICC to show peace symbols on his bat and present through the Boxing Day Test towards Pakistan, Khawaja confirmed his dedication in the direction of humanitarian causes in his first BBL sport of the season.
Khawaja, 37, has been vocal in his efforts to present his help for victims in the continuing Israel-Hamas battle. He wore a black armband after being denied to show a message on his sneakers for the primary Test in Perth. He was reprimanded by the ICC for his armband however continued his efforts to show peace symbols.Â
Cricket Australia has been supportive of Khawaja’s antics and has accepted his peace symbols for the BBL video games the place the ICC has no command.
“When I’m looking at my Instagram and seeing innocent kids, videos of them dying, passing away, that’s what hit me the hardest,” Khawaja had mentioned. “I just imagine my young daughter in my arms and the same thing. I get emotional talking about it again. I don’t have any hidden agendas. If anything this brings up more negativity towards me…I don’t get anything out of this. I just feel like it’s my responsibility to speak up on this. We live in such a beautiful country. I’m blessed to live in Australia. I can walk outside, don’t have to worry about a thing. My kids can do the same. I just want that for the rest of the world.”
Meanwhile, Khawaja captained the crew and scored 14 runs off eight balls towards Perth Scorchers. Michael Neser’s 64* off 30 helped the Heat rating a complete of 191 runs whereas batting first after which a formidable total bowling assault dismissed the Scorchers on simply 168 runs.
A win additional stretched Brisbane Heat’s unbeaten run in the league to 9 matches as they dominate the highest spot with seven wins in 9 video games.Â
