Perth: In a poignant development, Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja expressed his solidarity with the people of Gaza after the International Cricket Council (ICC) refused his request to showcase messages on his shoes during the upcoming Test against Pakistan. The cricketer, originally from Islamabad, aimed to wear shoes adorned with slogans like “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” during the Test series, symbolizing his support.
During a recent training session in Perth, Khawaja visibly displayed his commitment by wearing boots featuring these messages, presented in the colors of the Palestinian flag. However, the captain of the Australian team, Pat Cummins, disclosed that Khawaja willingly agreed not to exhibit any messages during the Pakistan Test match.
Khawaja, not one to remain silent, took to social media, posting a video on X (formerly Twitter), where he questioned the ICC’s decision. He asked, “Is freedom not for everyone? Are all lives not equal?” Asserting his stance, Khawaja stated, “I’m just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice.” The ICC, citing political statement guidelines, justified the ban, but Khawaja insisted it was a humanitarian appeal.
The ICC’s Code of Conduct explicitly prohibits players from displaying political messages on their attire or equipment without prior approval. Khawaja’s principled stand adds to a series of incidents in cricket, notably the ICC allowing players to ‘take the knee’ in support of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement in 2020 and 2021.
