Australia has postponed its T20 series against Afghanistan owing to deteriorating ‘conditions for women and girls’ in the country under Taliban rule. The three-match series, scheduled for August, was supposed to be hosted by Afghanistan with all games played in the United Arab Emirates. However, Cricket Australia have said the human rights situation towards women and girls in Afghanistan has resulted in the postponement.
Last year in January, Australia had withdrawn from the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan scheduled to be held in the UAE in March. Cricket Australia released a statement conveying the decison to call the series off after discussions with key stakeholders including the Australian government. In its statement, CA revealed that the decision was taken in the aftermath of the Taliban imposing further restrictions on women and girls’ education and employment in Afghanistan.
An update to our Aussie men’s team schedule ⬇️
CA will continue its commitment to the participation of women and girls cricket around the world and will work closely with the ICC and the Afghanistan Cricket Board to resume bilateral matches in the future. pic.twitter.com/OIO5PLjle5
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 19, 2024
It is the third time Australia has chosen not to play against Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country in 2021, having pulled the plug on a one-off Test match against Afghanistan that was scheduled to be played in Hobart in November 2021.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed their displeasure following Cricket Australia’s decision to postpone yet another bilateral series, reaffirming its commitment to politics-free cricket and advocating for the game’s significance in Afghanistan. In a statement, the ACB emphasized the game’s importance in bringing happiness and joy to the war-ravaged nation.
ACB Stand Firm and Advocate for Politics-Free Cricket
ACB expresses disappointment over Cricket Australia’s decision to postpone yet another bilateral tour to Afghanistan and reiterates its stance on neutral & politics-free cricket across the globe.
👉: https://t.co/vSSileu2QI pic.twitter.com/FiDVGsotdq
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 20, 2024
