Australian batsman Usman Khawaja has vowed to challenge the International Cricket Council (ICC) after it charged him for wearing a black armband in the first Test against Pakistan in Perth, in support of Palestinians.
The batsman has been in the forefront to highlight atrocities committed against Palestinians.
According to the ICC, Khawaja didn’t obtain prior approval from them, and Cricket Australia as required in the regulations, before displaying a personal message during the first Test match against Pakistan.
“This is a breach under the category of an ‘other breach’ and the sanction for a first offence is a reprimand,” read a statement from the ICC.
He caused a stir last week when the ICC bared him from playing a match with the shoes with the slogan “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right.”
A defiant Khawaja however said is baffled the ICC latest reprimand, accusing it of biased and inconsistency.
“They asked about the armband, and I told them it’s for personal bereavement.
I never claimed it was for anything else.
The shoes are a different matter, and I’m fine with that.
The armband doesn’t make sense to me,” said Khawaja.
He said it’s unfair that he was reprimanded as he followed the rules and has witnessed other players putting stickers on bats and names on shoes without ICC approval and faced no sanctions.
“I’ll be reaching out and challenging them to ensure fairness and consistency in their officiating for everyone.
The lack of consistency is apparent.
I’ve been transparent about this, and I’ll address it with the ICC,” explained the batsman.
Khawaja said he doesn’t have any agenda, but simply trying to shine a light on a humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
“When I look at my Instagram and I see innocent kids dying, that’s what hit me the hardest.
I just imagine my young daughter in my arms,” concluded Khawaja.
According to the ICC regulations, the charge means that Khawaja can accept a warning and continue to play.
He however he faces additional sanctions if he wears the armband again when the two countries meet again in the Boxing Day Test.
