Usman Khawaja, in a display of solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict, chose to wear a black armband as he opened the batting on the first day of the Perth Test against Pakistan.
Cricket Australia confirmed this gesture, aligning with the statement he shared on X, formerly Twitter.
All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it any other way. That's on you... pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023
Khawaja, adhering to an International Cricket Council process, was unable to wear statements of support on his shoes.
However, he was allowed to wear black armbands, which are customary for expressing personal bereavement and do not necessitate informing the umpires or the match referee.
In the past, both Mitchell Marsh and the Australian cricket team have worn black armbands to signify personal losses and to address social issues.
Prior to play, Khawaja reiterated his concerns about potential fines from the ICC, expressing his intention to challenge their stance at the earliest opportunity.
Despite the black armband, Khawaja plans to persist in his fight to wear supportive shoes on Boxing Day at the MCG, a significant day on the Australian cricket calendar.
