“Why Allow Taking Knee For BLM?”: Michael Holding Slams ICC Over Usman Khawaja Fiasco
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has found himself at the center of controversy after being charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching regulations during the first Test against Pakistan in Perth. Khawaja had initially sought to display messages of solidarity on his shoes related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, but the ICC rejected the request. The incident has drawn criticism from West Indies bowling legend Michael Holding, who slammed the ICC, labeling its actions in the Khawaja case as “hypocrisy and a lack of moral standing.”
“I’m surprised by the ICC’s stance”: Michael Holding Slams ICC Over Usman Khawaja Fiasco
“I have been following the Khawaja fiasco and I cannot say I’m surprised by the ICC’s stance,” Holding told The Weekend Australian.
“If it had been most other organisations that showed some semblance of consistency with their attitude and behaviour on issues I could claim surprise, but not them. Once again, they show their hypocrisy and lack of moral standing as an organisation,” he added.
Holding pointed out the inconsistency in the ICC’s approach, highlighting the approval granted for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and the display of LGBTQ colors on stumps in the past. He criticized the ICC’s regulations, questioning how messages related to political, religious, or racial activities were permitted in certain instances while being restricted in others.
As the controversy continues, Khawaja’s recent attempt to include a peace symbol on his bat and shoes for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan has reportedly been denied by the ICC. Despite multiple meetings with Cricket Australia to find an appropriate message, the international cricket governing body rejected Khawaja’s latest humanitarian gesture. The symbol, featuring a black dove and the words “01:UDHR,” referencing Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, will not be allowed on his equipment during the upcoming Test.
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