Australia’s cricketers are donning black armbands for their 2023 World Cup clash against the Netherlands at Delhi. Here’s why.

The Australian team took the field in black armbands for the anthem as well as the match against the Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. They were mourning the sad demise of fellow cricketer Fawad Ahmed’s second child.

The couple had to admit their child to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. On October 23, Fawad informed the world of his son’s death: “Till we meet again my little angel. Unfortunately after a long struggle my little man has lost the painful & tough fight, I believe you are in a better place,we will miss you so much, I hope no one ever goes through this pain.”

The child was only four months old. Cricket Australia shared their condolences with Fawad, his family, and friends.

The thoughts of the Australian Cricket community are with former Australian spinner Fawad Ahmed after the passing of his young son.

Our condolences are with Fawad, his family and friends in this terribly difficult time ❤️

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) October 24, 2023

A leg-spinner like his cousin Yasir Shah, Fawad was born and played first-class cricket in Pakistan before migrating to Australia. Apart from having an illustrious Twenty20 career at the BBL as well as other franchise-based leagues around the world, Fawad also played three ODIs and two T20Is for Australia, all of them on their 2013 tour of England, alongside several members of the current World Cup squad.

Ahead of the national anthems, the players of both sides had also observed silence for Bishan Singh Bedi, former India captain and the doyen of Delhi cricket. Bedi had passed away on October 23, two days before the match.

Australia subsequently won the toss and opted to bat.

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