Afghanistan making ready to take part in T20 World Cup: ICC Acting CEO

ICC Acting CEO Geoff Allardice on Sunday made it clear that there is no such thing as a risk to Afghanistan’s participation within the T20 World Cup however stated it’s going to hold a detailed watch on how issues unfold after the change in regime within the strife-torn nation.
There have been experiences that ICC would possibly forbid Afghanistan from taking part within the showpiece occasion if the staff decides to play beneath the Taliban flag amid the continued turmoil within the nation.
“They are a full member at the ICC and the team is preparing for the event (World Cup) at the moment (and) will be playing in (the) Group league. In terms of their participation, it is proceeding as the normal,” Allardice stated at a digital con-call.
With Taliban taking on of the nation’s political setup, Afghanistan cricket staff has been in a state of chaos.
Last month, Taliban had changed Hamid Shinwari with Naseed Zadran Khan as Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Chief Executive.
“Yes, I think, when the change of regime took place in Afghanistan in August, we have been in regular contact with their cricket board, the Afghanistan Cricket Board and our primary function is to support the development of cricket in that country through the member board,” Allardice stated.
“…we are waiting to see how things unfold under the different regime in that country and we will do that through the cricket board. The ICC Board will consider it when they next meet, which is looking like at the end of the T20 World Cup.”
Afghanistan, a full member of the ICC, have been clubbed with former champions India and Pakistan together with New Zealand in Group 2, and can later be joined by two extra groups from the qualifiers.
The staff has been coaching in Qatar and can be heading to UAE for the T20 World Cup which begins on October 17.
Afghanistan Cricket Board had appointed former Zimbabwe captain and England coach Andy Flower the nationwide staff’s advisor for the T20 World Cup.