AUS vs PAK: Usman Khawaja avoids wearing pro-Palestine shoes but still breaches ICC rules

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AUS vs PAK: Usman Khawaja did not wear his shoes sporting slogans supporting people of Palestine stuck in the fight going on against Israel in Gaza, but came out to bat wearing a black armband on Day 1 of the first Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Thursday, December 14.

Usman Khawaja and his shoes with slogans “All Lives Are Equal” and “Freedom Is A Human Right" made headlines after he wore them in them during Australia's practice session on Tuesday.

The Australia opener vowed to fight against ICC guidelines to wear the shoes after the governing body disapproved his request for wearing the shoes during the match. The southpaw stood the chance of getting banned from the first Test for wearing the pro-Palestine shoes.

ICC clothing regulations does not allow any player featuring the match to wear an item of clothing sporting a logo or wording that is “non-compliant”. The ICC rules do not allow players to give messages for political causes.

Why is Usman Khawaja wearing black armband in AUS vs PAK 1st Test?

The 36-year-old cricketer, who was born in Pakistan's Islamabad, covered the slogans with the tapes. Instead he came out to bat wearing a black armband which is customarily allowed for players to express personal bereavement. The umpires and match referee do not need to be informed of the player’s intention to wear the black armband.

According to ICC Code of Conduct, players and team officials are strictly prohibited from wearing, displaying or any conveying messages through armbands or other items affixed to clothings or equipment unless approved by the ICC.

However, Cricket Australia confirmed that Khawaja was wearing the armband to express his solidarity with the people of Palestine. After his emblazoned pro-Palestine shoes stirred controversy, Usman Khawaja released a video on Instagram expressing his disagreement with the ICC rules.

“The ICC have told me I can’t wear my shoes on field because they believe it's a political statement under their guidelines,” Khawaja said on Instagram on Wednesday. “I don’t believe it is so, it’s a humanitarian appeal.

"I will respect their view and decision, but I will fight it and seek to gain approval. Freedom is a human right, and all lives are equal. I will never stop believing that, whether you agree with me or not," Khawaja, who scored 41 runs off 98 balls in the first innings, said in the Instagram video.