Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised the courage of cricketer Usman Khawaja on the ICC stand-off over displaying a message of Peace during the Test against Pakistan.
Anthony Albanese lauds Khawaja on ICC stand-off
The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Usman Khawaja’s ICC stand-off in spreading the message of peace. He expressed his solidarity with Khawaja’s gesture of spreading peace during an address to the Australian and Pakistan teams ahead of the Sydney Test.
He encouraged the player for his courage to stand up for human values and acknowledged the team’s support for the opener.
“I’d like to congratulate (Khawaja) for the courage he has shown standing up for human values. He has shown courage, and the fact that the team has backed him in is a great thing,” said Anthony Albanese.
Aussies are set to play a three-match test series in Pakistan’s Australia tour 2023. After successful victories in the first two tests, Australia has a positive impact on the WTC points table.
Usman Khawaja wore a black armband but stopped to wear the shoes which displayed the message of peace and humanitarian quotes during the first test against Pakistan.
Khawaja had requested ICC approve him to wear the peace symbol, which he had during practice at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, December 24 for wearing in the second Test against Pakistan.
But ICC has disapproved his request due to the playing conditions. It was against technically breaching a clause in the “Clothing and Equipment Regulations” in the ICC Playing conditions.
Last Week, the Australian skipper Pat Cummins supported Usman Khawaja, saying the opener’s attempt to bring peace against Humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“Not really, no. I don’t know the ins and outs of the application, but I think it is pretty vanilla, a dove,” said the Australian Test captain.
“We really support Uzzy (Khawaja). I think he’s standing up for what he believes, and I think he’s doing it really respectfully,” Cummins added.
Australia has already won two test matches and leads the series 2-0. With David Warner is set to retire from ODI and Test after the final test at Sydney Ground, Anthony Albanese expects a special moment at the match.
“When Ussie and Dave go out, it will be a very special moment, when you walk on to the SCG,” Albanese said.
Australia and Pakistan will be playing their third and final test starting on January 03 at Sydney Cricket Ground.
