Usman Khawaja charged by ICC for black armband protest during Australia vs Pakistan Perth Test

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday (Dec 21), charged Australia opener Usman Khawaja forbreaching ICC regulations for sporting a black armband during Pat Cummins & Co.'s first Test against Pakistan in Perthwithout prior approval. The opening batter wore the armband and took to the field with writing on his shoes that read "all lives are equal" and "freedom is a human right". It was an attempt to raiseawareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

An ICC spokesperson told ESPN Cricinfo, "Usman Khawaja has been charged for breaching Clause F of the 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. This is a breach under the category of an 'other breach' and the sanction for a first offence is a reprimand."

Notably, the ICC's clothing and equipment regulations state: "Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey personal messages on their clothing, equipment or otherwise, irrespective of whether such messages are affixed to clothing, equipment or otherwise and whether such messages are displayed or conveyed through the use of the specific clothing or other items (eg. an arm band) or by the use of words, symbol, graphic message, images or otherwise ('personal messages'), unless approved in advance by both the player or team official's board and the ICC Cricket Operations Department. Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes."'

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Ahead of the Perth Test, Khawaja had made heads turn after opting not to wear the shoes with the writing following ICC's indifferent take. Later, in an emotional social media posthe statedthat he was not trying to make any political claims and was not backing any sides.

In the video, the 37-year-old said, "What I've written on my shoes is not political. I'm not taking sides. Human life to me is equal. One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life is equal to one Hindu life and so on. I'm just speaking up for those who don't have a voice." He added, "The ICC have told me I can't wear my shoes on the field because they feel it's a political statement under their guidelines. I don't believe it's so. It's a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their view and decision. But I will fight it and seek to gain approval."

Amid all this, the veteran batter also received support from the Cricket Australia (CA). It said in a statement: "We support the right of our players to express personal opinions. But the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages which we expect the players to uphold."

Talking about the three-match Test series between Australia and Pakistan, the hosts lead the series 1-0 following their 360-run win over Pakistan. Khawaja contributed with 41 and 90. On Friday, the left-handeris due to speak in Melbourne with regard to being charged by the ICC.