Australian opener Usman Khawaja will express his support for the Palestinians in Gaza when the first Test of the summer begins in Perth on Thursday.
The trailblazing opener, who has performed superbly for his country since being recalled for the Ashes Test at the SCG in 2022, is expressing his stance with a message on his shoes.
Training at Perth Stadium on Tuesday, the 36-year-old had the phrases “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” penned on his shoes, according to The Australian.
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He was not quoted, but told the paper it was a human rights gesture, not a protest. He does not believe he is contravening any regulations of the International Cricket Council, cricket’s ruling body.
The first Muslim player to represent Australia, Khawaja id popular among his teammates and is known as the “people’s champion”.
The opener recently signed a contract to work as a commentator and analyst for Fox Cricket.
His statement comes two months after the October 7 massacre by terrorist group Hamas and the subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza.
