File image of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Usman Khawaja’s braveness amid his standoff with the ICC after expressing solidarity with the victims of the battle between Palestine and Israel.
The ICC has barred the Australian opener from displaying messages of equality and freedom, particularly a dove emblem and an olive department on his footwear, in the course of the Take a look at collection in opposition to Pakistan.
The choice was based mostly on the worldwide regulation that prohibits gamers from showcasing private messages on their uniforms.
However his act has received him an admirer within the nation’s premier who touched upon Khawaja’s gesture throughout an handle to the Australian and Pakistan groups forward of the Sydney Take a look at.
“I would prefer to congratulate (Khawaja) for the braveness he has proven standing up for human values,” Albanese stated. “He has proven braveness, and the truth that the crew has backed him in is a good factor.”
Usman Khawaja of Australia sports activities a black armband as he bats in the course of the first cricket Take a look at in opposition to Pakistan in Perth,
| Photograph Credit score:
AP
“When Ussie and Dave (David Warner) exit, it is going to be a really particular second, while you stroll on to the SCG,” Mr. Albanese added.
The SCG Take a look at will mark the final time Khawaja and Warner shall be strolling out collectively to open the innings with the latter retiring from the normal format after the match starting on Wednesday.
Final week, Australian captain Pat Cummins had are available in help of his teammate, saying the opener’s try to carry to the fore the humanitarian disaster in Gaza was “not offensive.”
Cricket’s world governing physique, the ICC, had rejected Khawaja’s software to have a sticker displaying a black dove holding an olive department on his bat and footwear in the course of the Boxing Day Take a look at in opposition to Pakistan.
“We actually help Uzzy. He is standing up for what he believes and I feel he is completed it actually respectfully,” Cummins had stated on the eve of the second Take a look at on the MCG, which Australia received to wrap up the collection.
“As I stated final week, ‘All lives are equal’, I do not assume that is very offensive and I would say the identical concerning the dove,” Cummins had stated.
Notably, the ICC reprimanded Khawaja for carrying a black armband throughout Australia’s 360-run win over Pakistan in Perth, the motion coming after he was barred from carrying boots with the messages “Freedom is a human proper” and “All lives are equal” within the colors of the Palestinian flag in the course of the match on the Optus Stadium.