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Pat Cummins-led Australia are taking on Pakistan in the first of the three-match Test series at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The hosts early this morning won the toss and opted to bat first, putting up 117 runs on the board in the opening session on the back of David Warner’s 72-run knock at the top of the order.
While Warner was joined by Usman Khawaja to open the inning for Australia, the latter was the sole batter sporting the black armband. While Khawaja had earlier opted to wear special shoes with the message ‘All Lives Matter’ and ‘Freedom is a Human Right’ to show support with people involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s rules later prohibited this move. In order to continue his support and solidarity, the 36-year-old opted to sport a black armband.
Just a day ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, Khawaja had lashed out at the apex body for not allowing him to take a stand on the matter. Even Aussie captain, Pat Cummins had clarified that Usman Khawaja will not wear the shoes sporting pro-Palestine support.
Usman Khawaja on Pro-Palestine support
Usman Khawaja on Wednesday, 13 December had taken to his social media handles to share videos on ICC’s move to prohibit him. “I don’t believe it is so. It’s humanitarian appeal. I will respect their view and decision, but I will fight it and seek to gain approval,” Khawaja said in his video.
The regulations on the same are mentioned in ICC’s guidelines. “Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes. The ICC shall have the final say in determining whether any such message is approved,” the ICC guideline referred to page seven, titled ‘Playing: Clothing and Equipment Regulations’ read.