AUS vs PAK: The ICC prohibits Khawaja from displaying a dove logo on his bat and shoes during the Boxing Day Test

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has once again disallowed Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja from using imagery supporting Palestinians in Gaza during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This decision follows the ICC’s previous reprimand of Khawaja for wearing a black armband in the first match in Perth.

Khawaja had initially sought permission to wear shoes with the message ‘all lives are equal’ for the first Test, but the ICC declined his request. Despite this, he was seen sporting a black dove emblem on his bat and shoes during a training session in Melbourne on Sunday.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Khawaja also used a bat sticker referencing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

While Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association approved the use of the sticker during training, the ICC intervened and rejected his request to use it in the match.

The ICC’s stance on Khawaja’s actions stemmed from his wearing of a black armband in Perth, which he attributed to personal bereavement without explicitly linking it to his support for Palestinians in Gaza. The ICC censured him for not obtaining prior approval and for introducing a political message into the sport.

In response to the ICC’s decision, Khawaja stated on Friday that he had adhered to regulations and cited past instances where players had used personal messages without ICC approval but were not reprimanded. He expressed respect for the ICC’s rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, the Australian cricket team is looking to clinch a series victory over Pakistan. Following their substantial 360-run win in the first Test in Perth, Australia aims to secure another Test series win in the Boxing Day Test commencing on December 26 in Melbourne.