Former PCB chief urges team to wear BLM emblem during Eng series

Lahore, July 7 (IANS) Former Pakistan Cricket Board chief Khalid Mehmood urged the team to wear 'Black Lives Matter' logo on their jersey during their upcoming series against England in August.Pakistan will take on England in a series involving three Tests and as many T20Is after the completion of West Indies' three-Test series against the same opposition which starts on Wednesday. It was announced earlier this month that West Indies and England players will be sporting BLM emblems on their shirts during the series and Pakistan have now been urged to follow the same to put forward a strong message. "I would like to salute the West Indies cricketing authorities for taking the initiative (on BLM campaign) and then the ECB also joining hands. So I will advise the PCB to also announce a similar decision (for Pakistan's upcoming series in England)," Mehmood was quoted as saying by Pakistan-based outlet Dawn."Our religion Islam made it clear 1400 years ago that all human beings are equal and there is no supremacy for anyone on the basis of race, colour or wealth. For this reason, we should stand first in all such activities," he added.In a mark of solidarity against racism, England cricket team agreed to join the West Indies and carry an identical logo on their playing shirts. The Black Lives Matter emblem was designed by Alisha Hosannah, the partner of Troy Deeney, professional footballer and captain of Premier League side Watford Football Club. He was contacted by ECB and CWI and permission was granted for the logo to be displayed on the collar according to ICC regulations.
--IANS pks/bbh