During Australia’s first Test against Pakistan, Usman Khawaja is wearing a black armband. The ICC stopped him from wearing shoes with the words ‘All lives are equal.’
After winning the toss, Captain Pat Cummins of Australia chose to bat in the first Test against Pakistan. Simultaneously, Usman Khawaja, the opening batter, showed support for people impacted by the Israel-Hamas conflict. He did this by wearing a black armband.
Additionally, Khawaja had initially planned to display the phrase “All Lives Are Equal” on his shoes. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) intervened. Consequently, he stayed true to his decision and covered the message with tape on the same shoes.
Before Captain Pat Cummins’ pre-match news conference on Wednesday, Cricket Australia released a statement. The statement declared, “We support our players’ right to share their own thoughts.” However, we anticipate our players following ICC rules that forbid the display of personal statements.”
Players cannot show messages on their clothing or equipment unless their board or the ICC approves it in advance. Khawaja’s current armband gesture is a clear display of his ongoing support. It shows his solidarity with people affected by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. He wears a black armband for those who are suffering because earlier the ICC imposed some restrictions on him.
Usman Khawaja Respects ICC Decision on Shoe Messages but Plans to Challenge It
Usman Khawaja is resolute in challenging the ICC to protect his right to express humanitarian views on the field. After the ICC confirmed that he won’t be allowed to wear written messages on his shoes in the first Test against Pakistan starting on Thursday in Perth.
During Tuesday’s practice, Khawaja wrote “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” on his batting spikes. He planned to wear them in the Test. However, he later stated he would follow the rules but expressed his intention to “fight it.”
In a visibly emotional video post on social media, Khawaja defended his messaging. This happened shortly after Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed he wouldn’t wear the messages on the field. Khawaja argued that his stance was not political.
“He’s not taking sides,” he clarified, stating that what he wrote on his shoes is not political. He added, “Human life, to him is equal.”
On the opening day of the Test, Khawaja made an individual choice to wear a black armband. This action demonstrated solidarity and respect for the comments he made in the video.
Khawaja kept the messages on his shoes a secret from his teammates and Cricket Australia. Photographers and the media discovered them during training and revealed it.
Khawaja posted the same messages on social media consistently in recent weeks, referring to the war in Gaza. Despite this, he faced no sanctions from the ICC. However, there are strict ICC regulations about “non-compliant” wording or logos worn during international matches.
Khawaja expressed his commitment to fight for his right to express these views. He stated, “he will respect their view and decision.” But he will fight it and seek to gain approval.”
Usman Khawaja Spoke about Human Rights
Earlier, Khawaja made a promise. He pledged to stand up to the ICC for his right to express humanitarian views on the field. Additionally, he made this commitment. After the ICC confirmed that he won’t be allowed to wear written messages on his shoes in the first Test against Pakistan starting on Thursday in Perth.
“He isn’t engaging in politics with what he wrote on his shoes. He is not picking sides. To him, every human life is equal. Whether Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or anyone else, one life is as important as another. Furthermore, he is just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice,” Khawaja explained.
Moreover, Khwaja wrote in a caption for a video message on Instagram “He believe that all lives are equal. Freedom is a human right. He’s speaking out for human rights, making a humanitarian appeal. If you interpret it differently, that’s your perspective.”
Cummins mentioned having a conversation with the leadoff hitter. The batter stated that he wouldn’t be displaying any messages on his shoes during the game. Moreover, the captain agreed with Khawaja’s statement that “all lives are equal.”
Statement from Cricket Australia
On Wednesday morning, Cricket Australia issued a statement. It expressed support for players’ personal opinions but emphasized adherence to ICC rules prohibiting the display of personal messages.
Cummins reiterated this statement, confirming that he had spoken to Khawaja. The opener revealed he would not wear the statements on his shoes during the Test match.
Moreover, the ICC regulations are clear on what players can and cannot wear, outlined in a 68-page document. The document explicitly states that messages for political causes “shall not be granted.”
The ICC Code of Conduct clearly says players can’t put messages on their gear or clothes without permission. Moreover, it’s particularly prohibited to convey messages about politics, religion, or race. Similarly, in 2014, something like this rule happened with England player Moeen Ali. Moeen Ali, like Khawaja, is Muslim and has Pakistani ancestry. As a result, following that incident, Moeen Ali wasn’t permitted to wear wristbands with the words “Free Palestine” and “Save Gaza.”
Furthermore, the ICC acknowledges the game’s role in bringing people and communities worldwide together. However, it emphasizes that it should not be a platform to draw attention to potentially divisive political issues, rhetoric, or agendas.
Anika Wells, Federal Sports Minister, Supports Khawaja
Consequently, Australia’s federal sports minister, Anika Wells, has voiced support for Khawaja in response to the report. ” Usman Khawaja is an excellent athlete.” He is also a great Australian.
She added, “He can talk about things that matter to him at a press conference in Perth.” She believed he has done it peacefully and respectfully. It’s a way for him, as an individual, to express his opinion without compromising” the Australian cricket team’s obligations to the ICC.
