MELBOURNE
Australia’s Usman Khawaja wore shoes named after his daughters while batting against Pakistan on Tuesday after being banned from wearing them in reference to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
A close-up photo of the 37-year-old’s boots by AFP shows the names of Khawaja’s daughters Ayesha and Ayla taped to his boots during the first day of the second Test in Melbourne.
Usman Khawaja, who was dismissed for 42 runs, was refused permission by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to wear a sticker during the match depicting a black background with olive on his bat and boots. He was holding a branch.
Logo he displayed during training on Sunday also contained the words 01:UDHR – a reference to Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “Freedom is a Human Right” and “All Lives Are Equal” shoes were banned.
The ICC said they violated its rules on messages related to politics, religion or race.
Usman Khawaja posted an Instagram message on Monday that seemed to express his frustration: “Merry Christmas everyone. Sometimes you just gotta laugh!” He used the hashtags #inconsistent and #doublestandards on his post.
It should be noted that last week Usman Khawaja told how the Israel-Hamas conflict has affected him.
“When I’m looking at my Instagram and seeing innocent children dying, the videos of them dying affect me the most,” he said. “I just imagine my young daughter in my arms. I get emotional talking about it again,” she said.
I have no hidden agenda.” The ICC has been contacted for comment.
