Australia’s cricket Test against Afghanistan is set to be scrapped after the Taliban declared a ban on women’s sport.
The first-ever Test between the nations was slated to begin on November 27 in Hobart, providing Tim Paine’s team a key Ashes tune-up.
But Cricket Australia (CA), under significant political pressure to act, has released a statement confirming it is ready to cancel the fixture.
“If recent media reports that women’s cricket will not be supported in Afghanistan are substantiated, Cricket Australia would have no alternative but to not host Afghanistan for the proposed Test,” CA wrote.
“We thank the Australian and Tasmanian governments for their support on this important issue.
“Driving the growth of women’s cricket globally is incredibly important to Cricket Australia.
“Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level.”
Sports Minister Richard Colbeck and federal MP Andrew Hastie, a former SAS troop commander who fought in Afghanistan, are among several politicians to express reservations about staging a Test they feel would be akin to recognition of the Taliban government.
“I do not want that cricket match to go ahead. We lost good soldiers in Afghanistan,” Hastie told Sky News.
Hockley, who is also in talks with Tasmania’s state government after premier Peter Gutwein flagged his own concerns on Monday, termed it an “extremely challenging and complex situation” on Wednesday.
The ICC, which could scupper the match if it takes a hardline stance regarding Afghanistan’s membership, is concerned about reports the Taliban will ban women from playing cricket.
The global governing body says the matter will be discussed at its next board meeting.
That meeting is set for November, so if the ICC does not expedite a discussion and vote then Afghanistan will start their Twenty20 World Cup campaign on October 25.
The ICC could also look at cutting funding or allowing Afghanistan to continue playing under a soft ban, in which case the Test would proceed unless CA or Australia’s government intervene.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) says it is also in talks regarding a T20 tri-series involving Australia and West Indies in early October that would serve as match practice for the World Cup.
ICC rules dictate that full members must have a national women’s team.
Afghanistan are yet to play a women’s international game but there had been positive steps prior to the Taliban takeover, with the ACB handing out 25 contracts to female players in 2020.
Those players are believed to now be in hiding in Kabul, fearful about the Taliban’s return to power.
Ahmadullah Wasiq, deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission, told SBS on Wednesday that women will be banned from playing sport.
“In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this,” Wasiq said.
Legitimate Question
Guest
Why were they playing cricket and expecting our forces and Americas to fight for their freedoms? I have absolutely no sympathy for them. As the old saying goes, "you made your bed, now go and lie in it."
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I agree with the broad sentiment. I'm no supporter of the Taliban whatsever in saying this, but I don't think killings will occur for not winning cricket matches or shaving, but yes, the threat of corporal punishment is real. I'll be interested to see to what extent the Taliban modify/adjust their behaviour this time around now they have secured control. In the late 90s, the internet was ruthlessly banned, now they are complete social media hores. So they will recognise in themselves that they are capable of changing to suit circumstances. They also take over a country very much brought into the modern world and with a *relatively* high level of societal stability; in the mid 90s they came into existence with Afghanistan as a bombed-back-to-the medieval ages failed state after 15 years of total war - the Soviets then the civil war. I suspect they recognise the need to be more pragmatic this time round to be more successful re holding control. They themselves will have "matured" from the group that developed out of the young 20/30 somethings from the Pakistan refugee camps of the late 80s/early 90s. Again, I'm under no illusion that they will continue to be a brutal und unjust regime, but it will be interesting to see how the push-pull of needing to be pragmatic to maintain control and operate the country's infra and institutions, may evolve over the coming years. Suspect they will end up landing in a position not dissimilar to the Iranian regime which started out brutal in every respect, but *somewhat* took a more circumspect approach, notwithstanding still maintaining elements of extreme religious/cultural edicts and related punishments.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
JGK, my two greatest extra-curricular loves are cricket and Central Asia geopolitics centered on Pakistan and Afghanistan. I almost have as many books on Pak/Afg history since the 70s, as I do cricket books - almost. So when the two intersect, my head implodes! :laughing:
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Actually, there's been a few cases where athletes have asked for asylum on the ground that the simple act of claiming asylum and making it public would put them in danger if they were refused asylum and went home. In a case I had some knowledge of, almost the entire Sierra Leone Commonwealth Games team claimed and were granted refugee status on this basis after the 2006 Games in Melbourne. There was some sympathy for them because of the very nasty civil war there, but that had finished over three years earlier and the democratically elected and non-repressive Sierra Leone government was rightly insulted and pissed off. With that background, it's almost certain any cricket players who came here and appealed for refugee status would get it - the basic criterion is a 'well-founded fear of persecution".
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Very true. I was probably being a bit facetious.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Not so much oil these days (since US has become self-sufficient). More their role as the main regional counter-weight to Iran. And friendlier to Israel.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Nice spot https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/paris-attacks-what-does-daesh-mean-why-does-isis-hate-n463551
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
They do not otherwise the non-Muslim Socceroos would not be allowed to play there. But enough of this.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Mostly Zimbabwean, but many also from West and Central Africa as well as Pakistan. In reality they are economic refugees, but a system loophole let's them stay legally under political asylum..
Micko
Roar Rookie
Wow, 5 million asylum seekers living in South Africa currently? That’s crazy JN! :shocked:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
In South Africa real easy.. Just go to nearest Home Affairs office, request asylum and its granted temporarily on the spot.. Then it goes into a pending file.. Forever.. Can then join the 5 million other asylum seekers living here. :shocked:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Most arabs have similar policies...yet the Socceroos will be playing Saudi Arabia in a WCQ soon.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
think about the extreme behaviour involved. those players could be killed if they fail to win anything/trophy. The Afghan cricket boss could be killed if this test does not go ahead. Any Afghan player who shaves their beard will likely be killed for doing so ... et al. (My supposition, granted). The list is long and no-one is safe.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Sorry, how do the male cricketers qualify for political asylum again?
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Take a closer look at what the Taliban did previously and see if you can ask that again.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
For a start, Jeff, their wife(s) is not likely to be shot dead in the street for walking outdoors on their own in the UAE or other Gulf states. It's happened already in Afghanistan.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
In what way? If players were seeking asylum, they could do it in plenty of other nations they travel to other than Australia - UAE, England, New Zealand, South Africa. Though not sure on what grounds they would be seeking political asylum.
Tony
Roar Guru
Of course it's different
Jeff
Roar Rookie
No different to the players travelling to the UAE for the WC, or as individuals to the BBL, IPL, CPL, etc.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Cancel the tour. How hard can it be?