Report: Usman Khawaja faces reprimand after black armband protest during Australia vs. Pakistan Test match in Perth

According to reports, the Apex Cricket Council has reprimanded Australia’s opening batter, Usman Khawaja, for wearing a black armband during the first Test against Pakistan. Notably, the top-order batter earlier wore shoes to support Palestine. In addition, the act was denied by the Apex Cricket Council; therefore, he opted to wear a black armband in the game against Pakistan in Perth.

However, following his punishment, the Islamabad-born cricketer blasted the Apex Cricket Council for punishing him. Meanwhile, the Apex Cricket Council has released the statement and clarified that Australia’s batter did not seek approval from the Board or management for wearing the black armbands in the game where his side registered a 360-run win over Pakistan.

“Usman Khawaja has been charged for breaching Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations, which can be found on the ICC Playing Conditions page. Usman displayed a personal message (armband) during the 1st 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,” an Apex Cricket Council spokesperson said.

Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey personal messages: First Offence

Meanwhile, the Apex Cricket Council’s rule clearly states that the player can’t wear or display any personal messages during the game, regardless of the clothing or equipment. In addition, the rule clarified that players cannot use the armbands to display or convey their message.

“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 armband) or by the use of words, symbol, graphic message, images or otherwise,” the rules state.