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Australian Test batter Usman Khawaja‘s attempt to convince the International Cricket Council (ICC) to let him feature a dove and an olive branch on his bat during the Test summer in a call for peace has been revealed.
The submission, which was obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald, was backed by Cricket Australia but eventually rejected by the ICC.
Khawaja used a bat with an image of a dove on it during Monday’s training session ahead of the third Test against Pakistan at the SCG, beginning on Wednesday.
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Khawaja’s efforts to make an on-field statement were widely seen to be in part a show of support for Palestinians in Gaza as Israel wages war in retaliation for militant group Hamas’ October 7 attack.
Beyond one mention of the Middle East, his statement, which was approved by the CA board after an unscheduled meeting, did not specifically mention the conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 1200 in Israel and more than 21,000 in Gaza.
“I feel strongly about the right of every human being to enjoy peace, freedom and equality in dignity and rights regardless of their gender, age, colour, race, language, religion or national or social origin,” Khawaja wrote to the ICC.
“Some human rights are inalienable and transcend all our differences. These rights are enshrined in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) that has been ratified by all member states of the United Nations.
“At a time when there is such a loss of life and liberty in the world – most recently in the Middle East – I would like to promote a personal message of peace, freedom and equality by displaying an internationally recognised symbol of peace and freedom – a dove with a sprig – on the back of my bat together with the phrase ’01: UDHR’.”
Khawaja was outspoken in the lead-up to Australia’s second Test against Pakistan, after being told he wasn’t allowed to wear shoes that read “all lives are equal” in Perth and also being sanctioned for wearing a black armband in the series opener. He was denied the chance to have a dove sticker on his bat.
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However, Cricket Australia has confirmed that if Khawaja is to play any more BBL games this season for the Brisbane Heat, he is allowed to wear the dove logo.
Australia will take on Pakistan in the third and final Test of the series.
