Australia Check opener Usman Khawaja stated on Friday the black armband he wore within the Check match towards Pakistan was for a “private bereavement” and he would contest the Worldwide Cricket Council’s (ICC) reprimand.
The opener was reprimanded by cricket’s international governing physique on Thursday for sporting the armband in the course of the 360-run win over Pakistan in Perth.
That got here after he was prevented by ICC guidelines from sporting boots with the messages “Freedom is a human proper” and “All lives are equal” within the colors of the Palestinian flag for the match at Perth Stadium.
Khawaja instructed reporters he would take up the reprimand with the ICC and solely wished consistency within the utility of its guidelines.
“I instructed them it was for a private bereavement. I by no means ever acknowledged it was for anything. The sneakers have been a unique matter, I’m blissful to say that,” he stated.
“However the armband (resolution) made no sense to me. I respect the ICC and the principles and rules they’ve.
“I simply requested – and can be asking them and contesting that they make it truthful and equitable for everybody and so they have consistency in how they officiate. That’s all I ask for.”
An ICC spokesman on Thursday stated Khawaja had displayed a “private message” within the match towards Pakistan with out in search of prior approval from Cricket Australia (CA) and the ICC to show it, as required by rules.
Khawaja stated gamers had displayed private messages throughout matches prior to now with out in search of approval from the ICC and never been sanctioned.
“Guys have put stickers on their bats, names on their sneakers and all types of issues prior to now with out ICC approval and by no means been reprimanded,” stated Khawaja, including he wouldn’t be sporting the armband once more. From my perspective, that consistency hasn’t been finished but.”