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"Cricket can become a bit of a circus if..": AB de Villiers on Khawaja wearing controversial armband

Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers has opined that the sport will become a circus if the cricketers start wearing their political views or religious views on their sleeves. Usman Khawaja was recently reprimanded by the ICC (International Cricket Council) for wearing a black armband without obtaining prior permission for it.

Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers has opined that the sport will become a circus if the cricketers start wearing their political views or religious views on their sleeves.
AB de Villiers has shared his views on players expressing their political views. (Source: De Villiers social media)

By ETV Bharat English Team

Published : Jan 13, 2024, 6:40 PM IST

Hyderabad :AB de Villiers has opined that cricket will become a circus if every individual starts wearing their political or religious views on their wrists. The discussion around players expressing their political views surfaced after Usman Khawaja was sanctioned for wearing an armband without prior notification in the first Test against Pakistan in the recently concluded Test series when Australia registered a thumping victory.

Khawaja had appealed against the sanction but ICC rejected it and the topic came under spotlight after the incident. Former South African batter AB de Villiers has passed a critical comment on the incident saying that the sport will become a circus if players will start wearing their political or religious beliefs on their sleeves.

“This is something that is going on for many years. We know Moeen Ali wore wristbands and got into trouble with the ICC. Khawaja as well. It’s a very difficult topic. Difficult for me to give you an opinion, but what I can say is, ‘it can become a bit of a circus if every single individual wears his own political view or religious view on his wrist or wherever you know", he said.

"I think there’s a time and a place for that," he said on his YouTube channel.

Notably, Khawaja displayed dove and olive symbols on his shoes and bat during the ongoing Big Bash League. ICC had banned the symbol but Cricket Australia allowed the cricketer to wear the emblem.

Read More

  1. AUS vs PAK 2nd Test: ICC rejects Usman Khawaja's gesticulation for his support to Palestinians in Gaza
  2. AUS vs PAK 2nd Test: Khawaja to challenge ICC reprimand, says armband was for a bereavement
  3. AUS vs PAK Test: ICC reprimand Usman Khawaja over black armband to support Palestinians in Gaza

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