England cricketer Moeen Ali has been banned from wearing pro-Palestinian wristbands during test matches.

There was controversy on Monday when the bowler was photographed wearing two bands stating “free Palestine” and “save Gaza”.

The England and Wales Cricket Board had said it was satisfied that Ali could continue to wear them during England’s Test ongoing match with India in Southampton.

But the International Cricket Council ordered him to remove the bands on Tuesday and threatened to ban him if he makes “political statements” during matches in the future.

The ICC said “equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match.

“Moeen Ali is free to express his views on such causes away from the cricket field but he is not permitted to wear the wristbands on the field of play during an international.”

Last week Ali, who plays county cricket for Worcestershire, raised money for Gaza relief organisations during an event in Birmingham.

England players wore Help for Heroes logos on their shirts during play today to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War.