LONDON: Australia’s Usman Khawaja was reprimanded by the Interna­tional Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday for sporting a black armband after the global body’s rules prevented him from wearing shoes with messages of support for Gaza in a Test against Pakistan.

Khawaja had the messages “Freedom is a hum­an right” and “All lives are equal” on his boots in the colours of the Palestinian flag during training before the opening test of the three-match series last week, which the hosts won by 360 runs in Perth.

The Pakistan-born ope­ner intended to wear the boots in the game, according to Australian media reports, but was unable to do so under ICC regulations that prohibit messages related to political, religious or racial activities or causes.

He instead wore a black armband and the ICC said he was in breach its Clothing and Equipment Regulations.

“Usman displayed a personal message [armband] during the first Test match against Pakistan without seeking the prior approval of Cricket Australia and the ICC to display it, as required in the regulations for personal messages,” an ICC spokesperson said.

“This is a breach under the category of an ‘other br­e­ach’ and the sanction for a first offence is a reprimand.”

Khawaja had said he believes the statements on his shoes in support of the people of Gaza were not political and vowed to fight the ICC.

England all-rounder Mo­e­­en Ali, who like Kha­waja is a Muslim with Paki­stani heritage, was banned by the ICC in 2014 from wearing wristbands featuring the slogans “Save Gaza” and “Free Pale­stine”.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2023