Michael Holding calls ICC's stance 'Hypocrisy' over Usman Khawaja saga

Former West Indian pacer Michael Holding came out in support of Usman Khawaja.

Australian opening batter Usman Khawaja was charged for breaching International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rules and regulations related to avoiding political conflicts. Usman Khawaja was playing the first test against Pakistan at Optus Stadium in Perth wearing black arm-band. Usman Khawaja initially decided to play with a human rights slogan on his shoe but ICC didn’t allow.

Usman Khawaja later on decided to come out in protest and played the first test wearing black arm band. Now, Former West Indian pace bowler Michael Holding has come out in support of Usman Khawaja and called ICC’s stance ‘Hypocrisy’ on the matter. Usman Khawaja’s shoe had ‘All lives matter’ and ‘Freedom is a human right’ on his shoes.

Michael Holding slams ICC for Khawaja saga

Former West Indian pacer Michael Holding said that he was surprised with ICC’s stance. Holding said, “I have been following the Khawaja fiasco and I cannot say I’m surprised by the ICC’s stance. 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.”

Michale Holding while talking about the issue said and reminded of BLM Protest. ICC previously held ‘Black Lives Matter’ as campaign with players taking a knee before the start of the game. Holding added, “The ICC regulations say re messaging ‘approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes’. So how the f*** people were allowed to take the knee for BLM and stumps were covered with LGBTQ colours?.”

Usman Khawaja wanted to play the Boxing Day test at MCG in Melbourne sporting a peace symbol on his bat but ICC denied the permission. Peace symbol has a black dove with word 01:UDHR written. 01:UDHR means Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Khawaja was sporting the symbol on his bat and shoes while practice session on Sunday.

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