- Khawaja pledged to fight ban against displaying message
- Shoes feature words ‘all lives matter’ and ‘freedom is a human right’
- Has been backed by teammates Pat Cummins and Travis Head
Aussie cricket star Usman Khawaja has decided to wear his shoes bearing the messages ‘freedom is a human right’ and ‘all lives matter’ at the first Test against Pakistan despite being banned from doing so by Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council.
However, it was revealed he has chosen to use tape to cover up the slogans shortly before the start of play on Thursday.
Khawaja had pledged to fight the ban soon after it was announced on Wednesday and remained defiant in an interview given at Perth’s Optus Stadium just before the first bowl was due to be bowled.
Khawaja voiced his frustration after International Cricket Council rules banned him from using his shoes to make a statement about the war in Gaza during the first Test against Pakistan
‘All lives matter’ and ‘freedom is a human right’ are featured on the star batter’s shoes – which he has chosen to wear despite the ban after covering up the slogans with tape
The opening batter opened up on his thoughts about the ban and why he believes it’s hypocritical given he believes other cricketers have been allowed to make political and religious statements during matches.
‘It’s just a little bit disappointing. I don’t really see the controversy of [saying] all lives matter and saying freedom is a human right,’ he told Fox Sports on Thursday.
‘I don’t see where it becomes political … I find it hard to accept where people find what I said distasteful.
‘It makes me feel a little bit uneasy that people find those words uneasy.
‘It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for, I guess, the last couple of months. I’ll always stand up for what I believe in even if people don’t agree with me or don’t like me saying it.
Pictured: Khawaja’s taped-up footwear shortly before the start of play on Thursday
The star batter (pictured at Optus Stadium before the start of play on Thursday) lashed out at the International Cricket Council for what he believes is a double standard over political statements
Khawaja brought up the fact that the Aussie team took a knee in a 2022 Test against the West Indies (pictured) in a gesture made popular by the Black Lives Matter movement
‘I want to look back on my career and say, look, I stood up for my values, I respect what I did on the field, but I also respect myself for what I did off the field … that means more to me.’
Asked for his emotional reaction when the ban came through, Khawaja said he was frustrated because he saw it as cricket adopting a double standard.
‘So much has happened in the past that sets a precedent,’ he said.
‘I am in full support of Black Lives Matter [which the Australian team supported by taking a knee in a 2022 Test against the West Indies].
‘There are plenty of guys who have written on their shoes before. Other guys, they have religious things on their equipment.
‘Under the ICC [International Cricket Council] guidelines that’s not technically allowed, but the ICC never says anything on that.
‘So I’m a little disappointed they came down hard on me and they don’t always come down hard on everyone else.
‘All I can do is fight it [the ban] appropriately and however I can.’