Cricket Australia withdraw from ODI series against Afghanan, cite Taliban regime as reason
Cricket Australia have decided to withdraw from playing the three-match ODI series against Afghanan in the United Arab Emirates in March owing to ‘concerning’ situation in Afghanan since Taliban’s takeover in 2021. The tour was supposed to take place after the India-Australia series.
In a statement, Cricket Australia explained that the restrictions on women and girls seeking education and employment under the Taliban regime, including the Afghanan national women’s team is the reason behind their call to not engage in a bilateral series between the two men’s sides.
“CA is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country,” the statement said.
Cricket Australia is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country. pic.twitter.com/cgQ2p21X2Q
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 12, 2023
Taliban had seized control of Afghanan back in September 2021 and imposed ban on female participation in sports. As it stands, Afghanan remain the only nation with Test playing status that doesn’t have an active women’s team.
In November 2022, ICC’s Afghanan Working Group (AWG) has conveyed to cricket’s world governing body that the country’s government has reiterated its commitment to fully respect and comply with the ICC constitution, including agreeing “in principle” to support the development of women’s cricket.
“The meeting was positive and respectful, and the [Afghanan] government representative was clear in his support for the ICC constitution including in principle for women’s cricket in Afghanan,” Imran Khwaja, the AWG chair had said.
“There are obviously challenges for it to resume but we will continue to work with the ACB to take this forward. The Working Group will closely monitor the commitment undertaken the Afghanan government and will continue to report back to the ICC Board.”
