• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Pat Cummins Shows His Support To Usman Khawaja Amid Shoe Armband Controversy

Pat Cummins Shows His Support To Usman Khawaja Amid Shoe, Armband Controversy

image-lqklbkdoPat Cummins backs teammate Usman Khawaja (X)

Australia's skipper, Pat Cummins, has expressed his unwavering support for teammate Usman Khawaja amidst the recent controversy surrounding the cricketer. Prior to the first Test against Pakistan, Khawaja was denied permission by the ICC to wear a shoe bearing the message 'All Lives Are Equal.' In response, Khawaja donned a black armband during the match, leading to a reprimand from the International Cricket Council.

Pat Cummins commended Khawaja for his respectful handling of the situation, emphasizing that he stood up for his beliefs without resorting to unfair means. Cummins reiterated his support for Khawaja's stand, stating, “We really support Uzzy. He’s standing up for what he believes, and I think he’s done it really respectfully. As I said last week, ‘All lives are equal’, I don’t think that’s very offensive, and I’d say the same about the dove. That’s Uzzy. I think he can really hold his head high with the way he’s gone about it.”

Khawaja, in explaining his actions, stated that he had no hidden agenda and was simply trying to shed light on issues he felt passionately about. He emphasized the inclusivity of his message, keeping it free from religious or communal segregation.

Despite the controversy, Khawaja performed admirably in the first Test, scoring 41 and 90 before being dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Australia secured a convincing victory by 360 runs in the opening Test and is poised to continue their momentum in the upcoming second Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on December 26.

In supporting Khawaja, Cummins underscored the importance of players expressing their convictions respectfully, even in the face of potential controversy.