During the BBL match against Perth Scorchers in Brisbane, Usman Khawaja made a significant statement by displaying the dove and olive branch symbol on his shoes and bat. This gesture, previously banned by the ICC, was approved by Cricket Australia before the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.
The ICC, however, denied Khawaja permission to use the symbol during the Test match. Nevertheless, Khawaja showcased the symbol on the back of his bat at the start of his innings, but due to the bat’s breakage in the first over, the replacement bat did not feature the symbol.
Previously, Khawaja intended to highlight humanitarian messages about the Gaza conflict on his shoes during the Perth Test, but the ICC prevented him from doing so. He wore a black armband, initially associated with his social media posts on the humanitarian crisis. However, before the Melbourne Test, he clarified that it was for personal bereavement.
The symbol on Khawaja’s shoes and bat references Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing the importance of human dignity and equality.
Khawaja expressed his frustration with the ICC’s inconsistency in applying regulations, citing examples of other players who adorned their gear without prior ICC approval.
His stance stems from his deeply felt emotional response to the distressing images from the Gaza conflict. He expressed concern for innocent children affected by the conflict, emphasizing the need to speak up and address such humanitarian crises.
This stand received support from various quarters, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, praising Khawaja’s courage in upholding human values and his team’s backing of his stance.
Khawaja’s actions signify his commitment to raising awareness about humanitarian issues, reflecting his personal values beyond cricket and echoing his call for a world where freedom and safety are universal privileges.
