During the Wellington Test against New Zealand, Australian opener Usman Khawaja faced another challenge with ICC regulations as he was asked to remove a banned dove sticker from his bat. This incident unfolded on Day 3 of the first Test of the series when Khawaja had to replace his bat due to a crack during the session.
After selecting a new bat with the help of substitute Matt Renshaw, Khawaja resumed his innings. However, he was then instructed to reconsider a sticker at the end of the bat – a dove logo with an olive branch – which had previously sparked controversy with the ICC.
This wasn’t the first time Khawaja found himself in hot water over the dove logo. In December 2023, during the Test series against Pakistan, ICC officials demanded the removal of the logo, citing regulations barring players from making political statements during international matches.
Khawaja defended his use of the dove logo, asserting that it symbolized solidarity with the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing violence in the region. However, ICC rules remained firm against permitting such displays on the cricket field.
Earlier in the same home series against Pakistan, Khawaja was prohibited from displaying messages like “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” on his gear. Despite explaining that he wore a black armband as a symbol of personal bereavement, Khawaja faced reprimand from the ICC.
The incident underscores the ongoing tension between players’ desire to express solidarity with social causes and the ICC’s enforcement of regulations against political statements during international matches. Khawaja’s persistent efforts to raise awareness about humanitarian issues continue to clash with the governing body’s strict guidelines on player conduct.