The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Usman Khawaja's appeal against the sanction, so his reprimand for wearing a black armband into the field during the first Test against Pakistan in Perth will stand, according to an anonymous source close to the situation who wanted to avoid public announcements.

In remembrance of the children who had been killed in Gaza as a result of the fighting that had taken place in October of the previous year, Usman Khawaja donned a black armband during the first Test between Australia and Pakistan. The left-handed batter said to ICC that he had done so because of a personal loss.

“They asked me on day two what it was for and I told them it was for a personal bereavement. I never ever stated it was for anything else. The shoes were a different matter, I’m happy to say that. The armband makes no sense to me,” Khawaja was quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.

“I followed all the regulations, past precedents, guys that put stickers on their bats, names on their shoes, done all sorts of things in the past without ICC approval and never been reprimanded. I respect the ICC and the rules and regulations they have.

“I will be asking them and contesting they make it fair and equitable for everyone and they have consistency in how they officiate. That consistency hasn’t been done yet.”