Australia batter Usman Khawaja wasn’t allowed to put on sneakers branded along with his “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 towards Pakistan.
The International Cricket Council intervened on Wednesday after Khawaja indicated he deliberate to put on sneakers in the course of 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 non secular statements on crew uniforms or gear.
Khawaja mentioned he’d abide by the ruling to keep away from particular person or crew sanctions, however would problem the ICC’s stance.
“Freedom is a human right, and all rights are equal,” Khawaja mentioned in a social media submit. “I will never stop believing that.”
Australia batted first within the five-day match, 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.
He mentioned what he’d written on his sneakers wasn’t political and he wasn’t aiming to be divisive.
“I’m not taking sides. Human life to me in equal,” Khawaja posted in a video on X, previously generally known as Twitter. “I’m just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice. This is close to my heart.”
He scored 41 runs in a 126-run opening partnership with Warner earlier than he was caught behind from the bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi within the thirtieth over and needed to go away the sphere.
In earlier pre-game TV interviews, he mentioned there’d been precedents the place cricketers had been allowed to indicate help for different causes.
“I find it a little bit disappointing they came down hard on me and they don’t always come down hard on everyone,” Khawaja mentioned.
The 36-year-old batter had some high-level help, together with from Australia’s cricket captain Pat Cummins and even as much as the nation’s federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers.
“What was on the shoes — all lives are equal — I support that,” Cummins mentioned. “That’s not very divisive. I don’t think anyone can really have too many complaints about that.”
Chalmers advised the Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio that the ICC ought to enable Khawaja to put on the sneakers.
“I don’t think it’s an especially controversial statement and I find it unusual frankly that people want to dispute that,” he mentioned. “The lives on one side of a conflict are not worth anymore or any less than the lives on the other side of a conflict.”
The Israel-Hamas warfare has resulted within the deaths of over 18,400 Palestinians, based on the Health 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.
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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