Khawaja to wear shoes that show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza
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Perth: Usman Khawaja is planning to wear shoes during the Perth Test against Pakistan on Thursday that are emblazoned with slogans supporting Palestinians caught in the fighting in Gaza.
The leading Test batter in the world over the past two years and a proud Muslim, Khawaja has been deeply affected by the distressing scenes emanating from Gaza since the October 7 Hamas attacks that resulted in Israeli retaliation, often sharing videos and photos from the conflict on social media.
Usman Khawaja wearing “all lives are equal” on his shoes during an Australian nets session at the WACA on Tuesday.Credit: Getty Images
He wore the shoes, which read:“Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” at the team’s main training session on Tuesday. Getty Images published a photo of Khawaja wearing the shoes on Tuesday.
Khawaja confirmed to this masthead that he intended to wear them on the first day of play.
His planned gesture of solidarity with the people of Gaza is set to push to their limit cricket’s regulations around political messages during matches – an issue raised during the recent World Cup.
The final, won by Australia over India, was briefly interrupted by a pro-Palestine demonstrator when the hosts were batting. The protester made a beeline for Virat Kohli while wearing a “Free Palestine” T-shirt.
Cricket also witnessed another protest when a group of Just Stop Oil activists ran into the field at Lord’s during the second Ashes Test earlier this year. One protester was carried off by the England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.
In 2014, the England all-rounder Moeen Ali was asked to remove wristbands with the phrases “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” during a Test match against India. The International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee on duty at the time was the former Australia batter David Boon.
The ICC code states: “Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey messages through arm bands or other items affixed to clothing or equipment unless approved in advance by the player or team official’s board. Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes.”
At the time of the Moeen Ali episode, an ICC spokesperson said: “The ICC equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match. Moeen Ali was told by the match referee that while he is free to express his views on such causes away from the cricket field, he is not permitted to wear the wristbands on the field of play and warned not to wear the bands again during an international match.”
Cricket Australia and the ICC have been contacted for comment.
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