Usman Khawaja is wearing a black armband during Australia’s first Test against Pakistan after the ICC banned him from wearing shoes bearing the words ‘All lives are equal’.
Following the pre-Test controversy in which Khawaja posted a video on social media declaring that he wanted to contest the ICC’s decision, he opened the batting match wearing a plain black armband. Australia selected their batsmen on the first day in Perth, with Khawaja batting with David Warner.
Before the match, Khawaja wore boots that also had the slogan ‘Freedom is a human right’ written on them while training at Optus Stadium. Manager Pat Cummins confirmed in a press conference that the ICC had prevented Khawaja from wearing the shoes during the match to comply with rules on displaying political messages. The message was pasted on the shoes Khawaja was wearing.
Before the start of the first day’s match, Khawaja spoke to Seven Cricket in the outfield and reiterated his intention to appeal against the ICC’s decision. “I’m an adult so I can do whatever I want, but the ICC will.” If they just keep coming and fining me, it’s going to affect the game eventually. I stand by what I said and will stand by it forever, but I have to go out and focus on what I’m doing. But it’s at the forefront of my mind. ”
When asked if he would wait until the end of the match or series to reverse the decision, Khawaja said: “No, we will do it as soon as possible.” I think there is already a precedent. What the ICC has allowed him to do in the past is a precedent set when other players have done things in the past that the ICC has not done. So I think it’s a little unfair for them to attack me at this time, when there was certainly similar precedent in the past. ”
ICC‘s Clothing and Equipment Rules and Regulations require that personal messages be approved by the ICC before being worn by players during matches. It is stipulated that there is. However, it also states that “Messages related to political, religious, or racist activities or causes may not be approved.”
After 19 overs in the first session of the day, Khawaja was unbeaten in 33 overs and Australia were 95-0.
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