![\"Fan](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-129841218,imgsize-72306,width-400,resizemode-4\/imran-khan.jpg\" "\\"Imran")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nA cricket fan at the Sheffield Shield final in Australia found himself at the centre of an unusual controversy after being denied entry for wearing a \u201cFree Imran Khan\u201d T-shirt \u2014 only for authorities to later reverse the decision, calling it a humanitarian issue.The incident took place at Junction Oval in St Kilda on Thursday, where Luke Brown was initially asked to cover his T-shirt before being allowed into the venue. Security staff deemed the message a political statement related to jailed former Pakistan<\/a> captain Imran Khan<\/a>, which would violate Cricket Australia\u2019s entry regulations. <\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan Turned Down Two Serious Offers To Get Released From Jail, Claims Islamabad<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. <\/span>SUBSCRIBE NOW!<\/a>Brown complied by wearing another shirt over it but admitted he was taken aback by the situation. \u201cI was surprised,\u201d he told The Sydney Morning Herald. \u201cI understand the argument they have to deal with other situations, so it just makes it easier for them if they apply a blanket rule. They were very nice.\u201dCA clarifies stance<\/span>However, Cricket Australia later reviewed the matter and clarified its position, stating that support for Khan would not be treated as political. A spokesperson said, \u201cGiven the widespread concern in the cricket community for Imran Khan\u2019s welfare, we believe this is a humanitarian issue and will act accordingly.\u201dThe clarification effectively meant that Brown \u2014 and others wearing similar messages \u2014 would now be permitted entry without restrictions.Wider concern in cricket community<\/span>Khan, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup triumph in 1992, is currently imprisoned in Rawalpindi\u2019s Adiala jail on corruption charges, with reports of deteriorating health sparking concern globally.Several prominent cricket figures have voiced support, with 14 former international captains \u2014 including Steve Waugh, Allan Border and Michael Atherton \u2014 signing a petition drafted by Greg Chappell<\/a> calling for better treatment. Other signatories include Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Belinda Clark and Clive Lloyd.Brown later welcomed CA\u2019s clarification, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s easy for individual cricket fans like me to take the right stance\u2026 it\u2019s harder for Cricket Australia, so I applaud them for doing so.\u201d<\/div>\n