Former Glamorgan batsman Usman Khawaja Vows To Fight Message Ban

By Paul Jones

Former Glamorgan batsman Usman Khawaja has promised to “fight” a ruling by the sport’s governing body that he says has stopped him from displaying messages in support of “those who don’t have a voice”.

In an emotional video posted on his social media, Australia star Khawaja clarified that his message was “not political” and that the “bigger problem” was people calling him up to berate him for his stance.

The opening batter was seen wearing cricket boots with “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” written on them in the colours of the Palestinian flag during Australia’s training session prior to their Test series against Pakistan.

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

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rules do not allow players to display “non-compliant” wording or logos on clothing or equipment worn during international matches.

It means that the batsman – who played for Glamorgan five years ago – will not be able to wear the boots during Australia’s first Test match against Pakistan, starting on Thursday, December 14.

“I will respect their view and decision, but I will fight it and seek to gain approval,” Khawaja said.

“I’m just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice.”

Khawaja said he was speaking up for the thousands of children that are being killed [in Gaza] “without any repercussions or remorse” and that his message was not “political” as seen by the ICC.

Usman Khawaja will fight for his right to express humanitarian views on the field, after it was confirmed that he will not wear any written messages on his shoes in the first Test against Pakistan https://t.co/7SJGMpMwgt pic.twitter.com/SfjYqDm2EK

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 13, 2023

At least 7,700 children have been killed in Gaza since the war began in October, according to government and health officials in the besieged strip.

“This is close to my heart,” he said in the video with a quivering voice.

“When I see thousands of children dying without any repercussions or remorse, I imagine my two girls – what if this was them?”

Khawaja has two daughters, Aisha and Ayla, with his Australian-born wife Rachel whom he married in 2018.

“No one chooses where they are born, and then I see the world turning their backs on them, my heart can’t take it,” he went on to say in the video.

Usman Khawaja has been told he cannot spread the messages that "all lives are equal" and "freedom is a human right" during the opening Test.

Story: https://t.co/O0UfJChTIy pic.twitter.com/lZGJW2AOi9

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 13, 2023

The 36-year-old, who was born in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad before moving to Australia as a child. He has often spoken of his experience and the problems he has faced moving through the Australian cricket circuit.

“I already felt my life wasn’t equal to others when I was growing up,” he said.

“But luckily for me, I have never lived in a world where the lack of inequality was life or death.”

Khawaja, who has represented Australia in 115 international matches in a 12-year career, said he wanted to ask those people who got offended by his act of solidarity, “Is freedom not for everyone?”

“To me, personally, it doesn’t matter what race, religion or culture you are – but if me saying ‘all lives are equal’ has offended people to the point of – these people obviously don’t believe in what I have written.”

“What I have written is not political, I’m not taking sides. Human life to me is equal. One Muslim life is equal to one Jewish life, is equal to one Hindu life, and so on.”

Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells has thrown her support behind Usman Khawaja's decision to go against ICC rules by wearing shoes with a message of support for Palestine in the first Test on Thursday.https://t.co/chFh9itnuF

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) December 13, 2023

Despite Khawaja’s revelation about a shocking number of people calling him up to tell him off, he has found support from Australia’s Sport Minister Anika Wells.

“Usman Khawaja is a great athlete and a great Australian,” Anika Wells told local media.

“He should have every right to speak up on matters that are important to him. He has done so in a peaceful and respectful way.”

Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins said he spoke with Khawaja and confirmed that the batter won’t display the messages despite them “not being divisive.”

“On his shoes he had ‘all lives are equal’. I think that’s not very divisive. I don’t think anyone can really have too many complaints about that,” he told reporters in his pre-match news conference.

“I don’t think his intention is to make too big of a fuss, but we support him,” Cummins said.

"Usman Khawaja is a great Australian and he has every right to speak up on matters that are critical to him" – federal Minister for Sport Anika Wellshttps://t.co/EhTVDP0aXj

— Susan Metcalfe (@susanamet) December 13, 2023