Australia batter Usman Khawaja wasn’t allowed to put on sneakers branded with an “all lives are equal” humanitarian message, so he wore a black arm band as a substitute Thursday on Day 1 of the series-opening cricket Take a look at in opposition to Pakistan.
The Worldwide Cricket Council intervened on Wednesday after Khawaja indicated he deliberate to put on sneakers through the match that featured messages to focus on the lack of harmless lives within the Israel-Hamas warfare.
The ICC’s insurance policies for worldwide cricket prohibit shows of political or spiritual statements on group uniforms or tools.
Khawaja stated he would abide by the ruling to keep away from particular person or group sanctions, however would problem the ICC’s stance.
“Freedom is a human proper, and all rights are equal,” Khawaja stated in a social media publish. “I’ll by no means cease believing that.”
Australia batted first within the five-day sport, and Khawaja and fellow Australian opener David Warner strode to the pitch together with the Pakistan fielders.
Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan and is the primary Muslim to play Take a look at cricket for Australia, wore the black armband to indicate solidary with individuals struggling in Gaza.
In pre-game TV interviews, he stated there had been precedents the place different cricketers had been allowed to indicate assist for different causes.
“I discover it a little bit bit disappointing they got here down arduous on me and so they do not all the time come down arduous on everybody,” he stated.
The 36-year-old Khawaja had some high-level assist, together with from Australia captain Pat Cummins and even as much as the nation’s federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers.
“What was on the sneakers – all lives are equal – I assist that,” Cummins stated. “That is not very divisive. I do not suppose anybody can actually have too many complaints about that.”
Chalmers instructed the Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio that the ICC ought to permit Khawaja to put on the sneakers.
“I do not suppose it is an particularly controversial assertion and I discover it uncommon frankly that individuals need to dispute that,” he stated. “The lives on one aspect of a battle are usually not value any extra or any lower than the lives on the opposite aspect of a battle.”
The Israel-Hamas warfare has resulted within the deaths of over 18,400 Palestinians, in accordance with the well being ministry within the Hamas-controlled territory, which doesn’t differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Israel says 113 of its troopers have died in its floor offensive after Hamas raided southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 individuals, largely civilians, and taking about 240 hostages.