Cricket Australia expects Usman Khawaja to abide by ICC rules

A day after Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja wore shoes emblazoned with pro-freedom and equality words, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday it supports its players’ right to “express personal views” but also expects them to abide by rules laid down by the International Cricket Council.

Cricket Australia’s statement comes a day after Khawaja, during his team’s main training session ahead of the Test series with Pakistan, wore shoes emblazoned with the slogans ‘Freedom is a human right’ and ‘All lives are equal”.

According to Australian media reports, the Pakistan-born opener intended to wear the boots during the match, which starts at the Perth Stadium on December 14 (Thursday).

Commenting on Khawaja’s show of solidarity, which is linked to a show of solidarity for the Palestinians in Gaza, Cricket Australia, in a statement released today, said: “We support the right of our players to express personal views.”

However, he also added: “But the ICC has established rules prohibiting the display of personal messages which we expect players to abide by.”

Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins also assured during a presser that Khawaja will not wear the shoes with the inscription in the first Test against Pakistan.

Cummins, however, supported Khawaja’s right to express his views through his act and also encouraged his teammates to have “passionate views” on various issues.

“Uzzie doesn’t want to make too much of a fuss, he had ‘all lives are equal’ in his shoes, I think that’s not too divisive, I don’t think anyone can have too many complaints about that,” the Aussie. said the master.

Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza has killed at least 18,205 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The ICC Code of Conduct prohibits players from wearing, displaying or conveying messages through arms or other objects on clothing or equipment without prior approval.

Posts related to political, religious or tribal activities or causes are not allowed.

England batsman Moeen Ali, who like Khawaja is a Muslim of Pakistani heritage, was banned by the ICC in 2014 for wearing wristbands with the slogans “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine”.

The ICC, however, allowed players to “take a knee” before international matches in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and 2021.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment on the matter from the ICC.

Australian Sports Minister Annika Wells, however, gave her full support to Khawaja.

“I’ve always argued that athletes have the right to have a voice and speak out on issues important to them,” he told local media.

“Usman Khawaja is a great sportsman and a great Australian. He should have every right to speak about issues that are important to him.

“He did so in a peaceful and respectful manner. He did so as an individual and expressed an individual opinion that does not compromise the Australian cricket team’s obligations to the ICC.”