The first match of the three-Test series between Australia and Pakistan is going to start on December 14. This match will be played on the world’s fastest and bounciest pitch, Perth in Australia. Australia has announced its playing eleven for this match, and once again the responsibility of opening batting has been handed over to Usman Khawaja. However, even before the start of the match, a controversy has arisen with Usman.
Usman was practising on the field before entering the first Test match against Pakistan when the cameraman noticed his shoe, in which a slogan was written in support of the victims of Gaza being killed in the Israel-Palestine war. Usman has written on his shoes, “All lives are equal”. This slogan written on Usman’s shoes is for the suffering children, women and other innocent people killed and still dying in Gaza.
Khawaja acknowledged in a video posted on X on Wednesday evening that the ICC had ruled that the messages violated guidelines.
He earlier informed reporters that he intended to wear them on Thursday, the first day of the Perth Test.
Cricket Australia shot down the notion in a statement sent to media on Wednesday. “We support the right of our players to express personal opinions,” it stated. However, we expect the players to respect the ICC’s rules, which forbid the display of personal messages.
The 35-year-old has recently spoken out about the Israel-Gaza war and has reposted pro-Palestinian messages on his social media account.