Usman Khawaja to fight protest ban after Cricket Australia told opener NOT to wear pro-Palestinian boots… and Pat Cummins backs his teammate

Usman Khawaja says he will fight his ban after Cricket Australia stopped him from sharing a ‘humanitarian message’ of peace during the Gaza war.

Khawaja, a proud Muslim, unveiled plans to wear shoes with the slogans ‘freedom is a human right’ and ‘all lives matter’ during Australia’s test match against Pakistan in Perth on Thursday.

However, cricket’s governing body has directed Khawaja to ‘enforce’ the rules banning the display of personal messages.

“We support our players’ right to express personal opinions,” a CA statement said.

“But the ICC has put in place rules banning the display of personal messages, which we expect the players to adhere to.”

Khawaja, 36, has since responded on social media to CA’s stance and insisted he will try to get approval to wear the shoes.

“I noticed that what I wrote on my shoes has caused a bit of a stir. “I won’t say much, there’s no need,” he said.

“But what I do want is for anyone who has felt offended in some way to ask themselves these questions.

‘Isn’t freedom for everyone? Aren’t all lives equal? For me personally, it doesn’t matter what race, religion or culture you are.

‘Let’s be honest about it. When I say that all lives are equal, people get offended to the point where they call me up and say, isn’t that the bigger problem?

‘These people clearly don’t believe what I wrote. It’s not just about a handful of people. You would be shocked to see how many people feel this way.

‘What I wrote on my shoes is not political. I don’t take sides. For me, human life is equal. One Jewish life equals one Muslim life, equals one Hindu life, and so on. I only stand up for those who have no voice.

‘This is close to my heart. When I see thousands of innocent children dying without any repercussions or remorse, I pictured my two girls. What if this was them?

‘No one chooses where they are born. And then I see the world turning its back on them. My heart can’t handle it.

‘I already had the feeling that my life was not equal to others growing up. But luckily for me, I’ve never lived in a world where that lack of equality was life or death.

“I have been told by the ICC that I cannot wear my boots on the pitch as they believe this is a political statement under their guidelines. I don’t believe this is so; it is a humanitarian call.

“I will respect their opinion and decision, but I will fight it and try to get approval.

‘Freedom is a human right. And all lives are equal. I will always believe that, whether you agree with me or not.”

Khawaja has received the support of his captain, Pat Cummins, who supported his teammate’s right to protest, as well as the message itself.

Khawaja wore shoes with the message ‘all lives matter’ during training

The 36-year-old says he shared a “humanitarian message.”

“It’s one of our strongest points, our team, that everyone has their own passionate views and individual thoughts,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

‘I spoke to Uzzie about it briefly today. I don’t think he meant to make too much of a fuss about it, but we support him.

‘He said he wouldn’t (wear the shoes)

“I don’t know if Uzzie was on the other side (the ICC rules).

‘His shoes said: ‘All Lives Are Equal’. I don’t think that’s very divisive. I don’t think anyone can really have many complaints about that.

“Everyone on our team has their own individual thoughts, and I love that. You want everyone to be their own individual selves for the team.

‘What did the shoes say: ‘All Lives Are Equal’. I support that.’