Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has hit back at the ICC and the critics over sporting a Pro-Palestine emblem on his shoe during AUS vs PAK 1st Test. As political slogans and stands are barred by the ICC in an international match, Usman Khawaja was facing a ban.
Usman Khawaja vs ICC
However, Usman Khawaja is not going down without a fight. He said he will fight ICC’s decision on not allowing messages of political nature, adding that it is humanitarian and not political.
“What I’ve written on my shoes is not political. I’m not taking sides. Human life to me is equal. One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life is equal to one Hindu life and so on,” Usman Khawaja said.
“The ICC have told me I can’t wear my shoes on the field because they feel it’s a political statement under their guidelines. I don’t believe it’s so. It’s a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their view and decision. But I will fight it and seek to gain approval,” Khawaja added.
Earlier, Cricket Australia, in a statement, cleared its stance and refused to show support to Usman Khawaja.
“We support the right of our players to express personal opinions, but the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages which we expect the players to uphold,” CA said in a statement.
