Usman Khawaja of Australia stated on Friday that the black armband he wore in the Test against Pakistan was for a “personal bereavement” and that he would appeal the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) punishment.
On Thursday, cricket’s global governing body chastised the Pakistan-born opener for wearing the armband during Australia’s 360-run triumph over Pakistan in the series opener in Perth.
That happened after he was barred from wearing boots with the slogans ‘Freedom is a human right’ and ‘All lives are equal’ in the colors of the Palestinian flag during the match at Perth Stadium according to ICC guidelines.
Khawaja informed reporters that he would take the censure up with the ICC and that all he sought was uniformity in the execution of the organization’s standards.
“I informed them that it was for a personal bereavement.” I never said anything about it being for anything else. “I’m happy to say that the shoes were a different matter,” the 37-year-old stated at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“However, the armband decision made no sense to me.”
“I respect… the ICC and its rules and regulations.”
“I just asked – and will continue to ask – that they make it fair and equitable for everyone, and that they are consistent in how they officiate.” That is all I want.”
An ICC official stated on Thursday that Khawaja had sent a “personal message” to Pakistan without first obtaining permission from Cricket Australia (CA) and the ICC.
‘RESPECTIVE MANNER’
Khawaja said that players had shown personal messages during previous matches without ICC permission and had not been sanctioned.
“Guys have put stickers on their bats, names on their shoes, and all sorts of things without ICC approval in the past and never been reprimanded,” Khawaja said, adding that he will not wear the wristband again.
“From my point of view, that consistency hasn’t been done yet.”
Khawaja has been loud on social media in calling for a stop to the violence in Gaza, where almost 20,000 Gazans have perished since the war began with Israel, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has sworn to battle until Hamas, the Islamist organization that launched gunmen over the border into southern Israel on Oct. 7, capturing 240 captives and murdering 1,200 people, is defeated.
Cricket Australia did not approve Khawaja’s boots or armband, but CEO Nick Hockley said that the organization was working with him and the ICC to see if there was a “really respectful way” the batsman could communicate his message on the field.
“That is now the subject of ICC consideration,” Hockley said during a news conference with Khawaja.
The second Test against Pakistan begins on Tuesday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The International Cricket Council has been picky in permitting players to wear political slogans during matches.
During a test series against England in 2020, West Indies players were allowed to wear ‘Black Lives Matter’ insignia on their jerseys.
Moeen Ali of England, on the other hand, was barred from wearing wristbands with the inscriptions ‘Save Gaza’ and ‘Free Palestine’ during a home test against India in 2014.