In a bold move at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Stadium, Australian batter Usman Khawaja sported shoes adorned with the names of his daughters, Aisha and Ayla, during the second Test against Pakistan. This comes in the wake of a controversy involving Khawaja and the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding his choice of messages on his cricket gear.
The controversy began when the ICC disallowed Usman Khawaja from wearing shoes bearing the message ‘All Lives Are Equal.’ In response, Usman Khawaja wore a black armband in the opening Test at Perth Stadium, leading to a reprimand from the ICC.
In a press conference, Khawaja clarified that his intention was not to pursue any hidden agenda but rather to shed light on humanitarian issues. He emphasized his commitment to addressing broad concerns outlined in Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Usman Khawaja sports daughters’ names
During the MCG Test, the names of Usman Khawaja daughters, Aisha and Ayla, were prominently displayed on his shoes, symbolizing a personal and meaningful stand.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins voiced his support for Usman Khawaja, stating that the team stands behind him for “standing up for what he believes.” Cummins emphasized that Khawaja’s actions were not disrespectful and commended him for expressing his convictions in a respectful manner.
Reflecting on Khawaja’s previous footwear message, “All lives are equal,” Cummins reiterated that such a sentiment is not offensive, echoing similar sentiments about the new addition, the dove symbol.
Usman Khawaja’s bat also did the talking in the first Test, contributing scores of 41 and 90 as Australia secured a commanding 360-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
As the cricketer continues to use his platform to address humanitarian concerns, his stance has garnered both controversy and support, sparking discussions about free expression within the cricketing world.
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