News by “Sana Ullah”
Usman Khawaja Challenges ICC’s Charge Over Armband Controversy, Advocates for Fairness Australian Cricketer Protests ICC’s Decision, Swears Off Armbands Following Palestine Support Incident
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja is contesting the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) charge for wearing a black armband during the initial Test against Pakistan, raising questions about the consistent application of regulations.
Khawaja wore the armband in Perth after initially intending to don shoes displaying messages in support of the Palestinian cause, which were considered a violation of ICC rules regarding political statements.
While black armbands are allowed to honor the deceased, prior approval from the national board and ICC is mandatory. Khawaja asserts that he informed the ICC that the armband was for personal bereavement, complying with regulations.
Speaking in Melbourne ahead of the Boxing Day Test, Khawaja expressed his perplexity regarding the inconsistent enforcement of rules. “The shoes were a different matter, but the armband… I followed all regulations and past precedents,” he stated. He pointed to past instances of players customizing bats or wearing unauthorized shoes and armbands without repercussions.
He clarified that he had no political agenda and expressed his feelings for the Gaza killings on his shoes for humanitarian reasons. Khawaja emphasized his respect for the ICC and its rules but contested the lack of uniform application. “I will be asking them to make it fair and equitable for everyone,” he declared. “I was very open and honest. I’ll deal with that with the ICC.”
Khawaja, respecting ICC rules, vowed not to wear an armband ever again, stating that he was only disturbed by videos of innocent children being killed.
This challenge shines a spotlight on the ICC’s regulations and their implementation. The outcome of Khawaja’s appeal and how the ICC responds to his concerns will be closely watched, adding another layer of controversy to the upcoming Boxing Day Test that is sure to draw attention both for cricketing and human rights-related reasons.
