Cricket Australia withdraw from ODI sequence in opposition to Afghanistan, cite Taliban restrictions as cause

Cricket Australia have determined to withdraw from taking part in the three-match ODI sequence in opposition to Afghanistan within the United Arab Emirates in March owing to ‘concerning’ state of affairs in Afghanistan since Taliban’s takeover in 2021. The tour was presupposed to happen after the India-Australia sequence.

In an announcement, Cricket Australia defined that the restrictions on ladies and ladies searching for schooling and employment beneath the Taliban regime, together with the Afghanistan nationwide ladies’s group is the explanation behind their name to not have interaction in a bilateral sequence between the 2 males’s sides.

“CA is committed to supporting 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,” the assertion mentioned.

Cricket Australia is dedicated to supporting rising the sport for ladies and men all over the world, together with in Afghanistan, and can proceed to have interaction with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved circumstances for girls and ladies within the nation. pic.twitter.com/cgQ2p21X2Q

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 12, 2023

Taliban had seized management of Afghanistan again in September 2021 and imposed ban on feminine participation in sports activities. As it stands, Afghanistan stay the one nation with Test taking part in standing that doesn’t have an lively ladies’s group.

In November 2022, ICC’s Afghanistan Working Group (AWG) has conveyed to cricket’s world governing physique that the nation’s authorities has reiterated its dedication to totally respect and adjust to the ICC structure, together with agreeing “in principle” to help the event of girls’s cricket.

“The meeting was positive and respectful, and the [Afghanistan] government representative was clear in his support for the ICC constitution including in principle for women’s cricket in Afghanistan,” Imran Khwaja, the AWG chair had mentioned.

“There are obviously challenges for it to resume but we will continue to work with the ACB to take this forward. The Working Group will closely monitor the commitment undertaken by the Afghanistan government and will continue to report back to the ICC Board.”