MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Afghanistan cricket officials on Thursday condemned Australia’s decision to withdraw from the men’s one-day international cricket series.
Cricket Australia has cited the Taliban government’s latest crackdown on women’s rights in Afghanistan for canceling three ODIs in the United Arab Emirates in March.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board said it was “extremely disappointed and saddened” by Cricket Australia’s announcement and would appeal to the International Cricket Council.
He accused CA of prioritizing political interests over fair play and sportsmanship, undermining the integrity of the game and damaging relations between the two countries.
“Cricket has played an important role in promoting unity and national pride in Afghanistan,” the board said. “After war and conflict, cricket has helped bring people together and bring a sense of normalcy to the country. He was also an important source of hope and inspiration for all Afghans, especially the youth.
He said he would reconsider the participation of Afghan players in the Big Bash League if the decision is not overturned.
Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen ul Haq Murid has called the withdrawal from the series “childish” and accused Australia of robbing the Afghans of their only reason to be happy instead of supporting them.
When Kabul fell to the Taliban in 2021, the sport was banned on the grounds that it violated Islamic law, which requires women to cover their hair and skin.
Cricket Australia recently cited Taliban restrictions on women and girls’ education, employment opportunities and access to parks and gymnasiums for dropping men’s ODIs after consulting with the Australian government and other groups.
“CA is committed to supporting the growth of the women’s and men’s game worldwide, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improving conditions for women and girls in the country,” CA said.
Australia has given similar reasons for ending the one-off Test match against Afghanistan in Hobart, Australia in November 2021.
In December, the Taliban banned women from higher education after banning gymnasiums and parks a month earlier.
Women are also prohibited from attending school after the sixth grade and from doing most jobs outside the home.
In November 2021, the ICC established a task force to support and oversee women’s and men’s cricket in Afghanistan, but more than a year later, the country remains the only full ICC member without a women’s team. fully functional. Afghanistan are also the only full members not to participate in the Women’s Under-19 World Cup in South Africa starting this week.
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