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In a surprising turn of events during the ongoing Perth Test between Australia and Pakistan, Australian opener Usman Khawaja found himself at the centre of controversy. The cricketer had planned to make a statement by wearing shoes adorned with political messages related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
ICC’s strict regulations
During a pre-match training session, Khawaja sported shoes featuring the phrases ‘Freedom is a human right’ and ‘All lives are equal,’ signaling his stance on the ongoing conflict. However, his attempt to make a statement was thwarted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which strictly prohibits the display of personal messages on cricket gear.
Undeterred, Khawaja found an alternative way to express his sentiments. Despite being denied the use of his chosen footwear, he took to the field wearing a plain black armband, subtly conveying his intended message.
Frustration with double standards
Expressing his frustration with the ICC’s decision, Khawaja spoke out against what he perceived as double standards. He pointed to instances where cricketers were allowed to express messages during the Black Lives Matter movement, questioning why he faced restrictions on his personal choice of conveying a message.
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“I just think that so much has happened in the past that sets a precedent. I mean full support of Black Lives Matter. There’s plenty of guys have written on their shoes before. Other guys that have religious things on their equipment, under the ICC guidelines that’s not technically allowed but the ICC never says anything on that. I find it a little disappointing that they came down hard on me but they don’t always come down hard on everyone else. That was probably the most frustrating part,” Khawaja stated in an interview with Fox Cricket.
Standing firm on personal beliefs
Khawaja defended his choice of messages, emphasizing that he does not view them as political. He expressed his disappointment at the controversy surrounding the phrases ‘All lives matter’ and ‘Freedom is a human right.’ Despite facing criticism, Khawaja remains steadfast in his commitment to standing up for his values both on and off the field.
“It is what it is. I’ll always stand up for what I believe in, even if people don’t agree with me or they don’t like me saying it. I want to look back on my career and say I stood up for my values, I respect what I did on the field but I also respect myself for what I did off the field. That for me at some level, probably at the most level, means more,” Khawaja added in conclusion.
