Australia’s left-handed opener Usman Khawaja garnered attention during the first Test match between Australia and Pakistan in Perth by donning a black armband.
Khawaja used this gesture, which is usually performed in mourning, to show support for the victims of the continuing struggle in Palestine, giving it a new meaning.
Unlike the customary use of black armbands in cricket to pay respects to deceased individuals within the cricketing community. While Khawaja’s solitary display of the armband carried a broader social and political connotation.
The choice to wear the black armband was made as a way to show support for people impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Why Usman Khawaja Wore Black Armband?
The Australian batter’s choice to don the black armband wasn’t just a statement on the ongoing geopolitical scenario but also a subtle protest against what he perceives as ‘double standards’ within the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Khawaja had faced opposition from the ICC earlier when he expressed his intention to wear shoes bearing humanitarian messages during the Test.
The cricketer’s frustration came to the fore as he criticised the ICC’s stance, pointing out instances where other players could display personal messages, religious symbols, or messages supporting social causes without facing similar objections.
His black armband, therefore, became a silent act against what he deems as an inconsistent application of rules by the sport’s governing body.
All lives are equal
Usman Khawaja had previously worn shoes emblazoned with slogans like “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” during the Australian team’s training session.
However, Khawaja chose the black armband because ICC rules forbid players from writing personal statements on their equipment.
Despite expressing his discontent with the ICC’s rules, Khawaja remarked, “Plenty of guys have written on their shoes before… I find it a little disappointing that they came down hard on me but they don’t always come down hard on everyone else. That was probably the most frustrating part.”
Australia made an impressive start with the bat, reaching 210 for 2 2-wicket loss. David Warner was batting on 111, at the time of reporting, while Usman Khawaja remained scored 41 runs.
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