After winning the first Test against Pakistan in Perth with overwhelming ease, Australia is prepared to resume their current Test series against the country. The Pat Cummins-captained team is getting ready for the second Test, which will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day. Regarding the continuing Gaza issue, seasoned batter Usman Khawaja has made news in recent weeks with his intention to wear shoes bearing a message. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is used in Khawaja’s recent application to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to show a little dove holding an olive branch on his shoe and bat during the Test match.
Although Usman Khawaja received approval from Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association to display the dove logo, the ICC rejected his application on the grounds that it violates the Clothing and Equipment Regulations.
Speaking about the same subject, captain Pat Cummins stepped up to back Usman Khawaja.
While acknowledging that the seasoned opener has the support of the entire team and that the request for a dove emblem is not particularly insulting, Cummins still insisted that everyone follow the rules.
We definitely support Uzzy, and I think he’s standing up for what he believes and doing it really respectfully,” Pat Cummins was cited by ESPNcricinfo as saying. “Not really, no. I don’t know the ins and outs of the application, but I think it is quite vanilla, a dove.”
“In my opinion, there is no offense in saying that all lives are equal. The same is true for the dove. That is Uzzy. The ICC, I believe, has stated that they will not approve of the manner in which he has gone about things, but he can keep his head high. You have to understand that they set up the rules,” he continued.
Recall that Khawaja was deemed to have violated the Clothing and Equipment Regulations, Clause F, by donning a black armband during the first Test match against Pakistan. He acknowledged citing a personal loss as the reason, but he also promised not to wear it in the next games.