The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne promises an exciting clash between Australia and Pakistan, but off the field, the controversy around Usman Khawaja’s humanitarian stance continues to simmer. Just a day after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected his request to display a dove and olive branch symbol on his bat and shoes, Khawaja took to social media, highlighting what he perceives as the ICC’s inconsistent approach to player expression.
Earlier, Khawaja attempted to wear shoes advocating for global equality and freedom during the first Test were met with a ban and an ICC charge. Kwajas’s shoes had the messages “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” written over them. He later donned a black armband, initially stating personal loss but clarifying he wouldn’t wear it again for the Melbourne match. Hoping for a more subtle approach, Khawaja sought permission to display the universally recognized symbol of peace, a dove with an olive branch. However, ICC officials refused to grant the permissions.
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Double Standards Spark Social Media Debate
Taking a jibe on the ongoing situation, Khawaja posted a video on Instagram captioned “Merry Christmas everybody. Sometimes you just gotta laugh. Cya at Boxing Day! #inconsistent #doublestandards.” The video juxtaposed images of his teammate Marnus Labuschagne’s bat emblazoned with an eagle and biblical verse with South African Keshav Maharaj’s bat bearing the sacred Om symbol. Khawaja’s message struck a chord, sparking discussions about the ICC’s selective enforcement of regulations and the potential stifling of player expression, particularly around humanitarian causes.
Teammates Back Khawaja’s Right to Speak
Adding fuel to the fire, Australian captain Pat Cummins, at a pre-match press conference, shared his support for Khawaja, stating that his previous messages were “not very offensive.” Cummins went on to say that players should have the freedom to express themselves within reasonable boundaries, further echoing the growing sentiment against the ICC’s apparent double standards.
