- Khawaja could be punished for pro-Palestinian protests
- Opener wore a black armband during the first Test in Perth
- The protest was not approved, leaving him open to reprimand
Defiant opening batsman Usman Khawaja has been banned from repeating his human rights protest during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan on Tuesday.
The cricket star is also open to sanctions from the International Cricket Council over the black armband he wore during the first Test in Perth to show support for civilians in Gaza.
The 36-year-old wore a black armband to show his stance on the lives lost in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during Australia's 360-run victory over Pakistan.
Before the first Test, Khawaja was banned by Cricket Australia and the ICC from wearing shoes with the message 'freedom is a human right' and 'all lives matter'.
Usman Khawaja could face a penalty from the ICC over the black armband he wore during the first Test in Perth (pictured)
Khawaja recorded messages he wrote on his shoes to show support for civilians in Gaza after being warned by the ICC and Cricket Australia
Khawaja covered the message on his shoes with tape and decided to wear a black armband on his left arm instead.
He sought permission from Cricket Australia and the ICC to wear the boots with the displayed messages when he plays against Pakistan in Melbourne, but this was rejected by CA.
Black armbands are often worn by players as a gesture of respect to mark a death, but they do need permission to do so.
The bracelet Khawaja wore was not approved by the governing body, News Corp reported.
The ICC has not commented on whether Khawaja will face sanctions over the incident, but the starting point for any breach of the rules is an official reprimand.
The opener could continue to wear the armband during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG as he has pledged to continue messages of support for civilians in Gaza.
Ahead of the first Test, Khawaja told Fox Cricket that he felt frustrated after being forced to tape the messages on his boots.
The opener reportedly did not have approval to don the black armband during the first Test
'It's just a bit disappointing. “I don't really see the controversy over the claim that all lives matter and freedom is a human right,” he said.
'I don't see where it becomes political… I find it difficult to accept that people find what I said distasteful.
'It makes me a bit uncomfortable that people find those words uncomfortable.
“It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster because I think… I'll always stand up for what I believe in, even if people don't agree with me or don't like it when I say it.
'I want to look back on my career and say, look, I stood up for my values, I respect what I did on the pitch, but I also respect myself for what I did off the pitch… that means more to me .'
Khawaja has pledged to continue his support for civilians caught up in the Gaza conflict
Asked about his emotional reaction when the ban was confirmed, Khawaja said he was annoyed because he saw it as a sport with double standards.
“So much has happened in the past that sets a precedent,” he said.
“I fully support Black Lives Matter (which supported the Australian team by taking a knee in a 2022 Test against the West Indies).
'There are plenty of guys who have written on their shoes before. Other guys have religious stuff on their gear.
'According to the ICC (International Cricket Council) guidelines, that is technically not allowed, but the ICC never says anything about that.
“So I'm a little disappointed that they came down hard on me, and they don't always come down hard on everyone else.
“All I can do is fight it (the ban) the right way and however I can.”