AUS vs PAK: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Australian opener Usman Khawaja’s appeal against the ban imposed on him for wearing an armband (Black Band). This claim was made in a report in the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday. Khawaja had worn a black arm during the opening Test of the three-match series against Pakistan in support of children affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine in Gaza. For this, the ICC reprimanded him.
Pakistan-born Khawaja, 37, is the first Muslim cricketer to play a Test for Australia. A report in the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday cited sources as saying that Usman Khawaja was reprimanded by the ICC for wearing black armbands on the field during the first Test against Pakistan in Perth.
The ICC has dismissed the appeal to lift the ban against him. As per ICC rules, cricketers are not allowed to display any political, religious, or racist messages during international matches. But on the death of former players, family members, relatives, or significant individuals, they can wear a black band with prior permission.
An ICC spokesperson had earlier said, “Usman displayed a personal message (black armband without taking permission from Cricket Australia and ICC) during the first match against Pakistan.” It falls under the other violation category and he has been reprimanded for the first offence.”
Earlier, when Khawaja landed for the practice session on December 13, his batting shoes had ‘All Lives are Equal’ and ‘Freedom is Human Right’ written on them. The ICC asked me on the second day of the Perth Test why I was wearing black armbands and I said it was due to personal mourning. I didn’t say anything other than that.”
He further said, “I respect the ICC and its rules. I will challenge this decision. The issue of shoes was different. I liked to say that but there is no point in being reprimanded about the armband.”
He said he had no hidden agenda when he came for the practice session. The slogans written on his shoes, however, hint towards the ongoing war in Gaza. “I had no agenda. I wanted to shed light on something that I am a strong supporter of and I did so in a respectful way. I’ve thought about what I wrote on my shoes for a long time. I kept religion out of it. I was talking about the issue of humanity.”
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