Australian batsman Usman Khawaja was banned from marking the bat during the Test match against Pakistan starting on Boxing Day.
According to the French news agency AFP, during practice in Melbourne on Sunday, Usman Khawaja’s bat had a sign of peace and the words ‘UDHR01’ written on the bat as a symbol of peace.
‘UDHR01’ was written as a reference to Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
According to local media, the star batsman has had several meetings with Cricket Australia officials regarding writing a suitable message on his bat during the second Test match in recent days.
Usman Khawaja’s request rejected
However, according to The Australian and Melbourne Age newspapers, the ICC rejected Khawaja’s request to allow the Fakhta logo on the bat and words regarding Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be written on the shoes.
ICC did not immediately comment on this.
Usman Khawaja was banned from wearing shoes emblazoned with the slogans ‘Freedom is a Fundamental Right’ and ‘All Lives are Equal’ during the first Test match against Pakistan to show sympathy for the victims of the Gaza war.
The 36-year-old cricketer wanted to express his sympathy with the war-torn people of Gaza. However, Usman Khawaja was barred from doing so, saying it would be a violation of ICC rules that prohibit any political, religious, or ethnic message.
Usman Khawaja played the match wearing a black armband during this match for which the ICC reprimanded him and charged him.
However, he later said that he wore the black armband out of personal grief and vowed to respond to the ICC’s ruling.
Reacting to being charged and reprimanded by the ICC for expressing solidarity with the Palestinians during the Perth Test against Pakistan, Usman Khawaja said on Friday, “I have no political agenda.” What I wrote about Gaza on the shoes was an expression of my feelings.
’ when I look at my Instagram account. When I see videos of children dying, it hurts me a lot. I have no agenda except to highlight what I feel.’
Khawaja released his video statement after being charged by the ICC for wearing a black armband in solidarity with the Palestinians during the Perth Test.
Usman Khawaja says that I have no secret agenda but this is a human rights issue. I keep religion separate from sports and I’ve tried to express solidarity as discreetly as possible. Because this matter is close to my heart.
