ICC Rejects Aussie Cricketer Usman Khawaja’s Peace Symbol for Second Test
The Aussie cricket star talked with Cricket Australia several times to figure out the right message.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said no to Aussie cricketer Usman Khawaja using a peace symbol on his bat and shoes for the upcoming second Test match against Pakistan on December 26 (Tuesday).
While practicing for the Boxing Day match in Melbourne, the cricketer had a sticker on his bat and shoes with a black dove and the words 01:UDHR, referencing Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as reported by AFP.
Usman Khawaja had several discussions with Cricket Australia in the past few days to decide on a suitable message for the second Test match, according to Australian media.
However, the ICC rejected his recent humanitarian gesture, as reported by The Australian and Melbourne Age newspapers.
The ICC couldn’t be reached for immediate comment.
Usman Khawaja, who is a Muslim, was prevented from wearing shoes with handwritten slogans like “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” during the first Test in Perth.
The 36-year-old intended to express his support for the people of Gaza during the ongoing Israeli assault.
However, he was informed that the slogans violated ICC rules concerning messages related to politics, religion, or race.
Despite receiving a reprimand from the ICC for wearing a black armband during the match, Khawaja insisted it was in remembrance of a “personal bereavement” and expressed his intention to challenge the ruling.
On Friday, Khawaja shared his feelings about the Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing his despair at the number of children who have lost their lives.
“When I’m scrolling through my Instagram and witnessing videos of innocent kids dying, that’s what affects me the most,” he stated.
“I don’t have any agendas other than trying to bring attention to what I feel passionately and strongly about.”
