Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja sported a black armband when he came out to bat on the first day of the First Test match against Pakistan.
Khawaja put a tape over the message ‘All Lives Are Equal’ on his shoes supporting people in Gaza in a muted protest.
The Aussie cricketer wanted to wear the shoes during the match in Perth with the hand-written messages “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” clearly visible. He was denied by Cricket Australia, the cricket governing body in Australia, as it would’ve gone against the rules of the ICC.
Khawaja covered the slogans with semi-transparent tape leaving the word – in the color of the Palestinian flag – visible only in close-up.
Khawaja has opened up about his 'frustration' at the ICC’s rule which prevents him from wearing a 'humanitarian message'…
But that didn't stop him from wearing a black armband to respect those suffering 👇
MORE 👉 https://t.co/M7yok9FYJd pic.twitter.com/i6NptJDcSo
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 14, 2023
In a Twitter post, Usman Khawaja commented, “Do people not care about innocent humans being killed?”
Khawaja on Wednesday, 13 December 2023, vowed to fight the ban on his footwear and doubled down on his stance just before going in to bat in the first Test.
All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it any other way. That's on you… pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023
“Other guys that have religious things on their equipment, under the ICC guidelines that’s not technically allowed, but the ICC never says anything on that,” he added.
Social media users were quick to add how the Indian cricket team supported their Army in an ODI match against Australia in 2019 when tensions between neighboring countries India and Pakistan were high. The entire Indian cricket team was seen wearing camouflaged caps as a tribute to the army.
A reminder India were allowed to wear these camouflage military-style caps in an ODI against Australia in 2019 during a period of increased tensions with Pakistan.
India said the caps were a tribute to lives lost in a terror attack and the armed forces. pic.twitter.com/lCedBziWLD
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) December 13, 2023
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and what a shame that not even a single Pakistani player had the guts to wear black band which is like miniscule support to the suffering of millions. What a shame indeed.