PERTH: During the first Test match against Pakistan on Thursday, Usman Khawaja quietly protested by donning a black armband and writing support for the people of Gaza on his shoes with tape.
The opening batsman in the Perth match had expressed a desire to wear the shoes, which had the handwritten phrases “All lives are equal” and “Freedom is a human right” prominently displayed.
But Khawaja, a Muslim who was born in Pakistan, was informed that it violated the International Cricket Council’s guidelines regarding remarks made during games that touch on politics, religion, or racial issues.
Cricket Australia stated that it expected the players to follow the regulations, so Khawaja covered the slogans with semi-transparent tape so that only up close could the Palestinian flag-colored words be seen.
Cricket Australia, citing local media, claimed that Khawaja was donning the armband in accordance with a recent Instagram video he posted from UNICEF, a children’s charity based in Gaza.
Usman Khawaja made the following comment on the post: “Do people not care about innocent humans being killed?”
The October 7 attacks into Israel by Hamas, which claimed 1,200 lives, set off the war.
Read More: UNGA unites for Gaza Ceasefire amidst global pressure
Just before he batted in the first Test on Wednesday, Khawaja reaffirmed his commitment to oppose the ban on his shoes.
Khawaja said to Fox Cricket, “I just think that so much has happened in the past that sets a precedent.”
According to ICC guidelines, it is technically forbidden for other individuals to have religious symbols on their equipment; however, the ICC has never made a statement on the matter.
