Australi’s Opening batsman, Usman Khawaja, protested quietly during the first Test match against Pakistan. He wore a black armband and obscured messages on his shoes that expressed support for the people in Gaza.
The messages on his shoes, “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal,” were intended to be visible throughout the match.
Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan and is a practising Muslim, was informed that displaying such messages contravened International Cricket Council (ICC) rules. These rules prohibit messages related to politics, religion, or race during matches.
In response, Cricket Australia expected adherence to these guidelines, leading Khawaja to cover the slogans with semi-transparent tape. The words, coloured in the style of the Palestinian flag, were still faintly visible up close.
Read: Usman Khawaja Vows to Challenge ICC Over Shoe Slogan Row
In alignment with a recent Instagram post featuring a UNICEF video from Gaza, Khawaja wore the armband as a symbol of solidarity. He expressed concern over the plight of innocent lives affected by the conflict.
Khawaja also vowed to challenge the ban on his footwear and reiterated his stance before participating in the first Test, questioning the consistency of the ICC’s enforcement of these guidelines regarding religious symbolism in sports equipment.
