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Cricket Australia has called off a series against Afghanistan for the second time in as many years due to “government advice”.
Australia’s men were scheduled to face Afghanistan in three Twenty20s this year under the International Cricket Council’s future tours program.
But CA has postponed the series that would have been played in the United Arab Emirates instead of Afghanistan, where the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
“Over the past twelve months CA has continued to consult with the Australian Government on the situation in Afghanistan,” the CA statement read.
“The government’s advice is that conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan are getting worse.
“For this reason, we have maintained our previous position and will postpone the bilateral series against Afghanistan.
“CA continues its strong commitment to supporting participation by women and girls in cricket around the world and will continue to actively engage the International Cricket Council and work closely with the Afghanistan Cricket Board to determine what actions could be taken to support the resumption of bilateral matches in the future.”
In March 2023, CA called off an ODI series against Afghanistan due to concerns over the human rights of women and girls in the country.
Upon CA cancelling the series, the Afghanistan Cricket Board reacted strongly, saying they attempted to politicise the sport”.
Azmatullah Omarzai celebrates the wicket of David Warner at the 2023 ODI World Cup. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
“Cricket Australia is undermining the integrity of the game and damaging the relationship between the two nations,” the strongly worded statement read.
But Australia still faced Afghanistan in last year’s ODI World Cup, held in India.
The match became an instant classic after Glenn Maxwell blasted an unbelievable unbeaten 201 to rescue Australia from 7-91 to an extraordinary three-wicket win.
Afghanistan fell agonisingly short of qualifying for the semi-finals of a World Cup for the first time.
Star legspinner Rashid Khan threatened to boycott the Big Bash League after CA’s decision last year.
But Khan eventually signed to return to play for the Adelaide Strikers, before injury ruled him out of the tournament.
© AAP
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