Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers believes that international cricket would become a circus if all players started expressing their opinions on religious and political issues. De Villiers, speaking on his YouTube channel, opined that everyone in the world has the right to express his opinion but there is a time and place to do so.
A few days ago, Australian opener Usman Khawaja wore a black armband during the first Test match against Pakistan. Khawaja took the step because he did not obtain permission from the ICC and wanted to show his protest against the war between Israel and Hamas. Khawaja wrote a message on his shoes that was banned by the ICC so he had to wear a black armband. Khawaja was later reprimanded by the ICC over the same issue.
While talking about the issue on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers stated that talking about the issue of Usman Khawaja is a bit difficult for him. De Villiers further added that England all-rounder Moeen Ali was also wearing a black armband and got into trouble with the ICC.
AB de Villiers shares tensions over cricketers displaying political messages on the cricket field
AB de Villiers said: “This is something that has been happening for many years. We know that Moeen Ali wore bracelets and got in trouble with the ICC. Khawaja too. It is a very difficult topic. It’s hard for me to give you an opinion, but what I can say is that “it can become a kind of circus if each individual wears his own political or religious views on his wrist or wherever he wants it to be.” “I think there is a time and a place for that.”
Usman Khawaja showed a decent performance during the Test series against Pakistan and has been one of the best batsmen in the Australian Test team. Usman Khawaja had also appealed against the ICC’s reprimand against Usman Khawaja for wearing a black armband during the Perth Test against Pakistan. However, the request was rejected by the ICC.
According to the ICC code of conduct, a cricketer cannot wear any cricket equipment that displays a political, religious or racist message.
Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan also got into a lot of trouble when he dedicated his 2023 ODI World Cup hundred against Sri Lanka to the victims of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, many Pakistani cricketers shared the Palestinian flag on their official ‘X’ and showed their protest against Israel.
Mohammad Rizwan made a religious gesture on the field after his century against Sri Lanka and later posted a message under his official name ‘X’. In addition to cricket, athletes from other sports have also expressed their protest against Israel.
Coming back to Usman Khawaja’s performance last year for Australia, the left-handed opener scored 1210 runs in 13 matches at an average of 52.60. He also criticized three centuries and six and a half centuries. His highest score was 195*.
Usman Khawaja will now have the added responsibility of leading the Australian batting line-up following the retirement of David Warner.
