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Cricket Australia has hit back at criticism to pull out of a white-ball series against Afghanistan, with chief executive Nick Hockley declaring “basic human rights is not politics”.
Australia’s decision to withdraw from the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan has been met with fierce condemnation, including a threat from Rashid Khan to pull out of the BBL.
One of tournament’s most popular players, the Afghan star claimed he was “strongly considering” his future in the Australian T20 league over the issue.
In making the announcement on Thursday, CA cited the Taliban’s ban on university education for girls in Afghanistan.
But the Afghanistan Cricket Board labelled the decision as “pathetic”, and is set to complain to the ICC over Australia “prioritising political interests over the principles of fair play and sportsmanship”.
It also said Australia was “undermining the integrity of the game and damaging the relationship between the two nations” and would rethink allowing players to feature in the BBL.
But Hockley was adamant on Friday his organisation could not be accused of putting politics above sport.
“It is clearly a very challenging and sad situation. We did not take this decision lightly and consulted widely including with our government,” Hockley said.
Nick Hockley. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
“We were hopeful of playing the series and have been in regular dialogue with the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
“However announcements by the Taliban in late November and late December signalling the deterioration of basic human rights for women in Afghanistan led to our decision to withdraw from these games.
“Basic human rights is not politics.”
Hockley also stressed his organisation had no issue with Rashid or other players such as Sydney Sixers quick Naveen-ul-Haq who also threatened to boycott the tournament.
“We acknowledge and applaud Rashid Khan’s and other Afghanistan cricketers’ comments at the time condemning the Taliban’s decision to ban women from universities. Rashid will always be welcome in the BBL.”
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Hockley was on Friday backed by Australian white-ball stars Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa over the decision.
But Rashid was emphatic in his anger. “I take great pride in representing my country, and we have made great progress on the world stage,” Rashid said in a statement. “This decision from CA sets us back in that journey.
“If playing vs Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia, then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will be strongly considering my future in that competition.”
In a tweet to the accounts of Cricket Australia, the BBL and ACB officials, Rashid added: “Cricket! The only hope for the country. Keep politics out of it.”
If Afghan players do pull out of the BBL, it will leave a big gap to fill as players like Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Qais Ahmad, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Izharulhaq Naveed and Naveen-ul-Haq have distinguished themselves in recent years.
CA had previously cancelled an Afghanistan fixture over the Taliban government’s policies towards women, a one-off Test scheduled in November 2021.
Afghan cricketers playing on a stony, snowy pitch in Kabul have explained their disappointment at not being able to see the highly anticipated series against Australia, who withdrew citing concerns over women’s rights.
“The decision by Australia made us very disappointed,” said 25-year-old fruit seller Abdullah.
Noorullah Amiri, a salesman, said he too was saddened by the cancellation but hoped the Taliban would eventually allow all girls to attend school and university.
“They have to think about these issues, they have to listen to the nation so that Afghanistan can stand on its feet in the future,” Amiri said.
“We were waiting from a long time ago for this game … In this hard time in which people are facing challenges and have no job, this match was a good source of happiness and could bring a smile on the faces of people.”
Despite decades of violence and upheaval, Afghanistan has an enthusiastic and widespread cricket following.
Australia were scheduled to play a Test against Afghanistan in November 2021 but the fixture was postponed after the Taliban took power in August that year.
Glenn Maxwell plays a shot against Afghanistan in Adelaide at the T20 World Cup. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)
The Taliban have since closed most girls’ high schools and in December ordered universities to ban female students and NGOs not to allow female staff to work until further notice.
The Taliban largely banned education of girls when first in power from 1996 to 2001.
No country has formally recognised the administration of the Taliban, who took over Afghanistan with a speed and ease that took the world by surprise.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has criticised Australia’s decision, saying it had put political interests over sportsmanship and that cricket had contributed to education and social development in the country.
Some Afghan female athletes and sports enthusiasts agreed with Cricket Australia’s decision.
“I am happy the world is taking such a decision to support us. As an athlete I am very happy, because if I can’t have my rights, how I can disagree with such a decision?” said Parisa Arif, a former girls’ soccer team coach.
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