A spectator has been denied entry to Day 1 of the Sheffield Shield final over a T-shirt he was wearing which bore the face of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
As first reported by Cricket Et Al, Luke Brown was denied entry to Junction Oval on Thursday because of his shirt that read “Free Imran Khan”.
The news outlet claims the spectator was turned away at the gates because his shirt was “too political”.
However, after backlash and given Khan’s situation, Cricket Australia (CA) told news.com.au they have changed the directive, noting that security was following the terms and conditions of entry, which do prohibit clothing with political messages.
“Given the widespread concern in the cricket community for Imran Khan’s welfare, we believe this is a humanitarian issue and will act accordingly,” a CA spokesperson told news.com.au.
Khan has been in jail since 2023 and was sentenced late last year, along with his wife to 17 years on charges of corruption. They are charges they both deny.
The 73-year-old former Pakistani Prime Minister was rushed to the hospital last month due to an eye condition, but has since returned to jail.
Following the news of his condition more than a dozen international cricket captains concerned for Khan’s health urged the Islamabad government to give him “adequate” medical treatment.
Former Australian captain Greg Chappell expressed grave concern for the former Pakistan cricket captain’s wellbeing, writing for ESPNCricinfo: “If we allow one of our own to be disappeared and treated with such callousness, we are failing in our duty to the soul of the game.
“Today, that vibrant, charismatic leader is confined to a space that reports suggest resembles a death row cell.”
Other signatories included Australian greats Steve Waugh, Allan Border and Belinda Clark, former India captains Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar and West Indies legend Clive Lloyd.
Khan captained Pakistan to glory at the 1992 ODI World Cup.
He played 88 Test matches for Pakistan between 1971 and 1992, claiming 362 wickets at an average of 22.81.
Khan was the Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022, before being removed in a no-confidence vote during a political crisis stemming from tensions between his government and Pakistan’s military establishment.
Sheffield Shield final off to a soggy start
The Sheffield Shield final has turned into effectively a four-day match after day one was severely impacted by wet weather.
Victoria sent South Australia into bat at Junction Oval and had the reigning champions at 3-55 at lunch.
Only 28 overs were bowled for the day, and none after the first break, due to constant rain all afternoon.
