Australia opener Usman Khawaja wore a black armband while playing against Pakistan in the first Test of the three-match Test series. The 36-year-old’s action is a show of solidarity with those involved in the war between Israel and Hamas. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned the Pakistan-born batsman from wearing special shoes with the words “All Lives Equal” written on them.
The first Test between Australia and Pakistan began in Perth on Thursday (December 14). The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. Sources say Usman Khawaja is also planning to quietly protest the ICC’s “double standards” as the Australian star wears an armband in honor of those suffering in the Middle East. It is said that
Usman Khawaja had expressed his displeasure at the ICC’s decision to ban the wearing of shoes with “humanitarian messages”. The left-handed batsman wore shoes that read “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” to the Australian team’s practice on Tuesday. The Australian opener criticized his ICC rules before the start of the Test, saying:
“We intend to appeal to the ICC as soon as possible. There are precedents in the past where the ICC has recognizedeven when the ICC has done nothing. Antecedent that indicates that the player has done something in the past.”
“I think it’s a little unfair for them to attack me when there’s definitely precedent for something similar in the past.”
“I am an adult so I can do whatever I want. But I think the ICC will keep coming back and fine me and someday it will have a negative impact on the game. >I stand by what I said, I stand by it, I will forever. I have to go out and focus on what I’m doing. Yes, that is at the forefront of my mind,” Usman Khawaja said.
International Cricket Council‘s dress code states that if a player wears clothing with non-conforming emblems or markings, the umpire may disqualify the player from the match. I can. The ICC prohibits players from displaying political or religious messages on their equipment or clothing.
