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‘I would fight to get approval,’ Khawaja respond over shoes controversary

'I would respect you and your decision but I would fight to get approval, says Usman Khawaja
Cricket - Ashes - First Test - England v Australia - Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, Britain - June 17, 2023 Australia’s Usman Khawaja acknowledges the crowd as he walks off the field at stumps after scoring 126 runs not out Action Images via Reuters.
Cricket - Ashes - First Test - England v Australia - Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, Britain - June 17, 2023 Australia’s Usman Khawaja acknowledges the crowd as he walks off the field at stumps after scoring 126 runs not out Action Images via Reuters.

The news regarding Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja over his shoes has created quite a stir before the upcoming Pakistan and Australia Test match commencing tomorrow(Thursday) in Perth, Australia.

Usman Khawaja, who was wearing shoes in a training session with a hand-written that reads, “All lives are not equal,” to support Gaza amid the war against Israel.

In the aftermath of that, the Australian captain Pat Cummins told reporters on Wednesday: “I spoke to him(Usman) just quickly and he said he won’t be wearing those shoes.”

Later, Khawaja shared on social media emphasizing that he does not believe in any discrimination or racism.

The 36-year-old opening batsman shared his thoughts in a video statement he posted on his social media handle after receiving backlash from the Australian board over his support to Gaza.

During training this week Pakistan-born Khawaja had hand-written slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” on his footwear amid the Gaza and Israel war. ’

Cricket Australia said in a statement that it supported “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.”

However, Khawaja said: “The ICC told me that I can’t wear those shoes on the field, but I believe that was not a political statement against the ICC laws.”

“It’s a humanitarian appeal, I would respect you and your decision but I would fight to get approval,” he added.

“One Jew’s life is equal to a Muslim’s life, Hindu’s life and so on,” adding, “When I say thousands of innocent children are dying without any precaution, I imagine my two girls,” Khawaja says.

He said no one chooses where they are born, I am seeing this the world has gone turned back from them but my heart can’t take it in.“

On the other hand, skipper Pat Cummin told the media Usman Khawaja will not wear shoes with messages highlighting the plight of people in Gaza when the first Test against Pakistan begins on Thursday.

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