Australia’s men’s cricket team has withdrawn from a series of upcoming matches against Afghanistan in protest over the ruling Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls ‘ education and employment, Cricket Australia ( CA ) said in a statement Thursday.
The teams were scheduled to play three One Day International ( ODI) games in the United Arab Emirates in March, but CA decided to cancel the series after “extensive consultation” with” several stakeholders including the Australian government”, the statement said.
“CA is committed to supporting]and ] growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country”, it added.
In December, the Taliban announced the expulsion of college training for all sexual students. The walk followed a choice in March to deck women from returning to intermediate schools, coming after months-long shutdown that had been in place since the radical Islamist party took over Afghanistan in August 2021.
Later that month, the Taliban ordered all local and international non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ) to stop their female employees from coming to work, warning that non-compliance would result in the revocation of their licenses.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) responded to CA’s judgement on Thursday, describing it as “pathetic” and” an attempt to enter the realm of politics and politicize the game”.
” By prioritizing social interests over the principles of fair play and fairness, Cricket Australia is undermining the integrity of the sport and damaging the relationship between the two nations”, the statement added.
” The decision to withdraw from playing the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan is unfair and unexpected and will have a negative impact on the development and growth of cricket in Afghanistan, as well as affect]ing ] the love and passion of the Afghan nation for the game”.
The ACB said it was considering what action to take on the matter, including the possibility of writing to the International Cricket Council ( ICC ) and “rethinking the participation of Afghan players” in Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition, the Big Bash League ( BBL ).
The ACB declaration followed remarks from prominent Afghan person Rashid Khan.
Khan, who played for the Adelaide Workers in this year’s BBL, accompanied a statement on Twitter with the phrases:” Keep politicians out of it”.
” I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the line to sing us in March”, Khan wrote.
” I take great pride in representing my land and we have made great progress on the world stage. This determination from CA sets us up in that quest.
” If playing opposed Afghanistan is so miserable for Australia therefore I wouldn’t want to make people uncomfortable with my existence in the BBL. Therefore I will be highly considering my upcoming in that competitors.”
CA had previously backed out of a proposed Test suit against Afghanistan expected to be hosted in Tasmania in November 2021 over the Taliban’s ban on people participating in sports.
” Driving the development of women’s bowling worldwide is very essential to Cricket Australia. Our eyesight for bowling is that it is a game for all, and we support the sport firmly for girls at every stage, “CA said at the moment.
Australia’s sports secretary Anika Wells on Thursday said Canberra supports Cricket Australia’s walk.
” The American government invites Cricket Australia’s decision to withdraw from the future people’s One Day International set against Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s increased suppression of women and ladies ‘ rights,” she tweeted.
Although the Taliban constantly claimed it may protect the rights of girls and women, the team has done the opposite, stripping away the hard-won rights for which ladies have fought hard over the past two decades.
The United Nations and at least half a dozen major foreign aid groups have said they are temporarily suspending their operations in Afghanistan following the ban on female NGO employees.