Veteran Aussie batter PUNISHED by ICC for wearing black armband in support of Gaza victims during match against Pakistan

He wanted to wear the shoes during Australia's 360-run victory, but the ICC's rule prevented him from doing so, and he vowed to fight the ICC.

Veteran Aussie batter PUNISHED by ICC for wearing black armband in support of Gaza victims during match against Pakistan

Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

Star Australian batter Usman Khawaja was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday (December 21) for sporting a black armband during a Test match against Pakistan at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Khawaja wore the armband after the ICC stopped him from displaying messages in support of Gaza victims.

During a training session ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, Khawaja wore shoes with the messages “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” written in the colors of the Palestinian flag. He wanted to wear the shoes during Australia’s 360-run victory, but the ICC’s rule prevented him from doing so, and he vowed to fight the ICC.

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The ICC has banned the display of messages related to political, religious, or racial causes. And as Khawaja wore the armband, the ICC says he breached its Clothing and Equipment Regulations.

Usman displayed a personal message (armband) during the first Test match against Pakistan without seeking the prior approval of Cricket Australia and the ICC to display it, as required in the regulations for personal messages. This is a breach under the category of an "other breach" and the sanction for a first offense is a reprimand.
An ICC spokesperson said in a statement

Usman Khawaja’s scores in 1st Test against Pakistan

In the first Test match, Aussie skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first. Usman Khawaja, who opened the innings alongside David Warner, scored 41 runs from 98 balls with six boundaries. Australia reached 487 on the back of Warner’s 164 and Mitchell Marsh’s 90 runs.

Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

In the second innings, Khawaja missed his century by 10 runs. From 190 balls, he scored 90 runs by hitting nine fours. Australia won the match by 360 runs when they skittled out Pakistan for 89 runs.

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