Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the postponing of the three-match men’s T20 international series against Afghanistan, which was scheduled for August of this year.
CA said it would, “continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country”.
The latest decision comes after further deliberation with the Australian government. “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 said in a statement.
“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,” the statement added.
The Taliban’s restoration to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 led in limits on women’s ability to work and study.
CA have cancelled a single Test match against Afghanistan, which was due to take place in Hobart in November 2021. In addition, CA withdrew from a three-match ODI series scheduled for March 2023 in the UAE.
As a result of that decision, Afghanistan’s star player Rashid Khan threatened to boycott the BBL before changing his mind and returning to the Adelaide Strikers, only to miss the competition due to injury.
Speaking to the BBC, International Cricket Council CEO Geoff Allardice stated that the ICC will continue to assist Afghanistan as a full member.
“We have spoken with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and their position is they have to operate within the laws of the country and the rules as set by the government, and really the question for the ICC Board is ‘do we support our member in their ability to promote cricket within the rules set by the government of the country?’, and the view is yes.”
