Aussie cricket star Usman Khawaja opened his heart out in an emotional social media post on Friday. Bang in the middle of the Test series against Pakistan, the opener has been in the news.
First, what he wrote on his shoes before the Perth Test “All Lives Are Equal,” was disallowed. To be fair to Khawaja, he later taped the shoes and one could not see the statement.
“I am not talking about religion. I am talking about humanitarian issues. When I see young kids dying on my Insta feed, it hits me hard. When I see these feeds, I think of my daughter in my arms,” said Khawaja.
He wore a black band during the Perth Test where the Aussies decimated Pakistan. The band was perceived as something to do with Palestine and the conflict with Israel in the Gaza strip. However, it transpires, the band Khawaja wore was for “a personal bereavement.”
Also Read: Usman Khawaja and David Teeger Issues a Reminder that Sport and Politics are Inseparable
The Australian was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council for breaching Clause F of its clothing and equipment regulations. The ICC felt it was a “political statement.” However, Khawaja has clarified it’s got no political connotation. He also was full of praise for Australia as so many people have respected his sentiments.
At the MCG on Friday, Khawaja said he “followed all the regulations” and did not deserve any penalty. Many other cricketers and other sportspersons in the past have sported logos, displayed messages and made symbolic gestures. One recent example is BLM (Black Lives Matter), with Formula One star Lewis Hamilton at the forefront of it.
“I followed all the regulations. In past precedents, guys have put stickers on their bats, names on their shoes,” said Khawaja.
Not mincing words, he also said he never wore the shoes during the match. He had got ample support from his captain Pat Cummins and Travis Head at that time last week. “All I ask from the ICC is consistency,” added Khawaja.
“I don’t have any agendas at all,” he stressed in the video.
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