- Australia cancels series over rights concerns
- Conditions under Taliban worsen
- Cricket Australia consults government, postpones
The postponement of the second Australian men’s cricket series against Afghanistan in succession can be attributed to the nation’s appalling human rights record concerning women and girls.
A one-day international series scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates in March 2023 had already been cancelled by Australia on account of “a marked deterioration” in the treatment of women in the country.
There was optimism that the situation would improve in time for a three-match Twenty20 series to be sanctioned for August of this year. The series was also anticipated to be contested on neutral territory in the United Arab Emirates.
However, Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday that conditions under Taliban rule in the country were deteriorating rather than improving. In light of this, the organisation cancelled another series after consulting further with the Australian government.
A statement read, “According to government recommendations, conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan are deteriorating.” “Our previous stance has been maintained, and the bilateral series against Afghanistan will be postponed.”
“CA remains firmly dedicated to promoting the involvement of women and girls in cricket on a global scale. In pursuit of this objective, CA will maintain a proactive stance with the International Cricket Council and collaborate closely with the Afghanistan Cricket Board to identify potential measures to facilitate the future resumption of bilateral matches.”
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Since the Taliban regained control of the Asian nation in September 2021 and promptly imposed restrictions on female participation in sports, this is the third time Australia has declined to play Afghanistan.
In November 2021, CA also cancelled a single Test match in Hobart and the two white-ball series.
The Afghan Cricket Board criticised the decision to cancel the ODI series from the previous year, labelling the boycott “horrendous” and “utterly disheartening.” In response, Afghanistan’s Twenty20 captain, Rashid Khan, threatened to resign from his position in the Big Bash League. Despite ultimately signing with the Adelaide Strikers, his participation in the tournament was premature due to an injury.
