Afghanistan’s cricket board has accused Cricket Australia of “succumbing to political influences” in withdrawing from a third series in as many years.
Australia’s men were scheduled to face Afghanistan in three Twenty20s this year under the International Cricket Council’s future tours program.
But CA on Tuesday called off the series that would have been played in the United Arab Emirates instead of Afghanistan, where the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed its disappointment about the move, calling for “neutral and politics-free cricket”.
“ACB advocates for keeping cricket distinct from political influence, considering the game’s significance in Afghanistan and its connection to the happiness and joy of the Afghan Nation,” the statement read.
“ACB’s top management had previously engaged in negotiations with Cricket Australia and proposed exploring alternative solutions instead of publicly announcing withdrawals.
“ACB urges Cricket Australia to respect and understand its position as a Full Member nation and look for alternative solutions rather than succumbing to external pressures and/or political influences.”
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.
Azmatullah Omarzai celebrates the wicket of David Warner. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
CA also pulled out of what would have been a historic one-off Test against Afghanistan in 2021.
But Australia still faced Afghanistan in last year’s ODI World Cup.
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.
The countries also played each other at the 2022 Twenty20 World Cup, held in Australia.
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.
Afghanistan recently played a Test, ODIs and T20s against Ireland, while they have also toured Sri Lanka and India already this year.
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
Np disrespect but I think you are apiece of garbage.
Doogie
Roar Rookie
Yeah - fair play. But the same principle applies. Since when is canning a series against the men going to change any outcomes for women? Did the mens team support the disbanding? The ACB made it clear they are doing their best to get them reinstated. The IOC negotiated with the Taliban and women represented Afghanistan in the asian games in late 2023. All lovely motherhood statements but at the end of the day, does nothing for the sport. This is more about making us supposedly feel good but does nothing to influence real change.
Linphoma
Roar Rookie
I did not know the ACB is populated with regime appointees. I would never endorse engagement directly with the bearded crackpots. In which case arguably we could also apply this across the boards in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe... even India. Political appointments abound. Rumours substantiated or otherwise of malfeasance. Sadly blanket sanctions do nothing to the question of how can Afghan women (granted, outside of the country's borders) can have a game of cricket.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
Might want to check your comprehension skills. The cancelled series was against the men’s team. There is no women’s team to play against because the Afghanistan Cricket Board and government have banned them.
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
Blacktown is a great name..we got a shopping centre with a food court and everything.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Not quite Doogie. Afghani women are not allowed (by their Government) to play sport. The series that was cancelled was against the men's side.
Brumby Jack's acquaintance
Roar Rookie
You do realise the Afghani women can't play in the men's series right? This isn't the 2000's movie "she's the man"
Brumby Jack's acquaintance
Roar Rookie
Two questions. 1) where in the ICC membership rules is a side hustle in adult entertainment not allowed? 2) who are you talking about? Mark Taylor?
Brumby Jack's acquaintance
Roar Rookie
Suspension is a happy medium. As you can give them the path back to full membership
Brumby Jack's acquaintance
Roar Rookie
When did the ICC or BCCI get nukes? Or first nations people for that matter?!? This is all news to me :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Brumby Jack's acquaintance
Roar Rookie
Who's mercy are we dependent on?
Brumby Jack's acquaintance
Roar Rookie
Why do you keep bringing up the UN? We're talking about cricket governance not international relations. Also, the UN isn't an international governance body. It is a forum for nations to seek resolution to global issues. One that many nations often ignore. Also, whether the ICC is actually useless or not is moot. Because the point in question is whether Afghanistan should remain a full member of the ICC whilst flagrantly disobeying its membership requirements.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Well, no matter what illiterate argument you put up just know Afghan will not be playing Australia in cricket. So, you may also go cry somewhere until you get over it
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
I think your agenda doesn't belong on a sports site.
Doogie
Roar Rookie
"The whole point is that there is no opp. for Afghani women to play Australia". Ah yeah - because we cancelled the series. Top draw logic that. No issues with someone coming at aggressively. Just try to have some level of common sense to back it up.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
What are you talking about? Her government has banned women from playing any sport at all (amongst other things such as getting a proper education). The whole point of this boycott is that there is no opportunity for Afghanistan women cricketers to play Australia. In fact, Australia is looking after the Afghanistan women’s team which fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover and are not allowed by their cricket board to represent their country.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
What a ridiculously naive statement. As foolish as Neville Chamberlain trying to appease the Nazis. Women will never be brought into the fold so long as the Taliban is in power and the ACB is run by Taliban appointees. Time to cut Afghanistan loose and show the world that cricket takes the rights of women seriously.
Doogie
Roar Rookie
So a talented young Afghan girl who devoted her life to her sport (and I suspect in Afghanistan that means a little more than in Oz), gets to the top by working hard, sees that her team is playing the Australians and finally realises her dreams of being and playing the best. And it gets nixed because her Govt, which she probably never voted for, treats other women like crap and apparently CA bailing the series is going to change something in Afghanistan. Don't think politics and sports should mix at all but just imagine if the Afghani girls beat Australia. It'd probably do more for the welfare of Afghani girls than this BS from CA.
Rusty Brooks
Roar Rookie
The left hand ignores what the right hand is doing.
Tufanooo
Roar Rookie
La grandeur d'Athéna If i was to guess, you come from a country that rhymes with Bindia?