Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup appearance will go ahead as planned with the Taliban’s support, says a local cricket board official.
The fate of the women’s cricket program, however, remains unclear.
Despite the turmoil caused by the stunning fall of the Kabul government on Sunday, the board has confirmed a one-day series against Pakistan will go ahead in Sri Lanka next month and said it was expanding the “Shpageeza” Twenty20 league competition.
“The Taliban don’t have any issue or problem with cricket, and they have told us that we can continue our work as planned,” said Afghanistan Cricket Board head of media operations Hikmat Hassan, adding the team was ready for three one-day matches against Pakistan next month.
“We have completed our two training camps in Kabul and we have sponsors, a production team and even the kit ready.”
Hassan also said the team should be able to play in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October-November.
“We are confident we will be able to take part and will be preparing for it over the coming weeks. I don’t think there will be a problem,” Hassan said.
During their previous spell in power, the hardline Islamist movement banned most public entertainments but they have never had a particular problem with cricket, a sport many Afghans learned in refugee camps in Pakistan during the 1980s and 1990s.
Since then, the game has exploded in popularity in Afghanistan.
Players such as Adelaide Strikers spin bowler Rashid Khan and big-hitting Melbourne Renegades batsman Mohammad Nabi have become global stars of the game, lighting up Twenty20 internationals and other showpiece competitions like the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Afghanistan’s own domestic version of the IPL, the “Shpageeza Cricket League” (SCL), a competition named after the Pashto language word for a six, added two more franchises on Thursday and will be played between September 10-25, the board said.
“Given the current problems in Afghanistan, it is an opportunity to bring the country together, bring some joy to the people and put on a remarkable spectacle,” Hassan said.
He said the board hoped stars like Khan, one of the world’s top rated Twenty20 bowlers, would come home to play in the competition, just ahead of the World Cup.
One area which remains uncertain is the future of the women’s cricket programs run by the ACB, which currently has 25 contracted female cricketers and several programs for girls.
The Taliban have said they will respect women’s rights under Islamic law but they have not given any clear indication of how they will treat women’s sports.
In their previous spell in power, they stopped most women and girls from working or going to school and made them wear all-covering burqas to go out, and then only when accompanied by a male relative.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yeah hopefully women's cricket will be allowed to continue in Afghanistan. All we can do is wait and see. I was disappointed when Shahid Afridi banned his own daughter from playing cricket.
Tony
Roar Guru
From my perspective, things will be a lot clearer when the next international series between the Australian and Afghan women's teams is announced.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
No worries. I'll get back to you tomorrow. Just watching a really good movie right now.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Just interested/curious, no other reason. Religions of the Book (to adopt the more recent phrase) continue to play a big part in the dynamic of human interactions, so I'm always interested in finding out about experiences at the "human" level, as it were (i.e. how/why/when/extent of individuals engaging with the religions).
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Forced church going Catholic growing up. Particular problem when cricket was on TV on a Sunday. Have never been an atheist but never quite got Christianity. The morals and values were fine but some of the spiritual beliefs were the problem for me. Why do u ask?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Were you a committed Christian, Christian-aligned, agnostic or atheist before adopting a following of Islam?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
That's a touch ironic (to say the least) coming from you. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
Who are you to tell other people about there culture.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Hopefully you're getting the point that me ignorantly sprouting what being a Maori is all about is as ignorant as you ignorantly sprouting what being a Muslim is all about. The media is a very powerful and influential medium isn't it ... :happy:
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
20 years ago I travelled through Iran very safely as a non-Muslim. Pakistan too. And I've been back in Australia permanently for the last 12 and a half years.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
That’s right – displaced culture through European colonialism!!! See any parallels with places like the Middle East for example?
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
But please buy a seat before you drop off a Globemastt it’s a long drop
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
Yes I hope you never have anything to do with us horrible New Zealanders please so yourself a favour and never come to Australia or New Zealand and stay safe in Iran Iraq Afghanistan.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
No bro. Rarely has a movie sickened me as much. Any idea what caused a lot of Maori men to become that way?
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
Good movie ey bro
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Hey what about them Maoris in Once Were Warriors hey? Is bashing wives and r-ping 12 year old girls as a close acquaintance of a family what it means to be Maori? I’m just wondering because I’m loathe to stereotype out of complete ignorance …. We shouldn’t play Rubgy or cricket against New Zealand :shocked:
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
Australia new Zealand England should not play against Afghanistan Pakistan teams because they are terrorists...that's the point and it's a unrefutable one
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yesssss.... (scratches head) ... ???? And what's your point?
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
Nope the outside of normality is not allowing girls to attend school .
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
And I will continue any time you try to justify Pakistan and Afghanistan continues in the international cricket arena or any sport .