The Cricket Australia (CA) board confirmed on Thursday that their men’s team has pulled out of the 3-ODI series against Afghanistan, slated to be in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March.
CA said that this decision has been taken after consultation with the Australian government, citing the Taliban’s further restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment in the country.
The Taliban had taken control of Afghanistan in September 2021 and immediately placed restrictions on female participation in sport, which CA had condemned then. Following that, CA had also called off the one-off Test that they were supposed to host Afghanistan in Hobart in November 2021 prior to the Ashes.
“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 CA statement read.
“We thank the Australian Government for its support on this matter.”
“This decision follows the recent announcement by the Taliban of further restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment opportunities and their ability to access parks and gyms.”
Australia met Afghanistan in T20 World Cup though
Recently, the Taliban announced that they are indefinitely banning female participation in universities, which ICC CEO Geoff Allardice described as concerning.
Afghanistan are the only ICC Full Member to not have a fully operational women’s team, and will also not partake in the upcoming women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in South Africa.
However, Australia played Afghanistan in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2022 at home, winning the game and crucial 2 points.
While many have lauded CA for taking a stand in support of women in Afghanistan, this moral explanation of CA not playing the ODI series with Afghanistan, but playing in the T20 WC didn’t sit right with the fans, who called for the hypocrisy of the CA. The bilateral with Afghanistan also provided little financial benefits to the board.
Here are the reactions of fans on this decision of Australia to call off the series against Afghanistan:
Taliban not allowing women to play.
Cricket Australia not allowing men to play.Two sides of the same coin.
— Cow Corner (@CowCorner183) January 12, 2023
I just find it very convenient that all these ethical and moral decisions are made when there is nothing of substance on the line, but as soon as there are actual stakes, everyone complies: Aus v Afghanistan T20 WC, WC in Qatar (including Aus)
— AJ 🌞 (@ltsAJhere) January 12, 2023
This is the right call. Afghanistan continues to escalate its restrictions on women and girls.
— Juleasha (@Juleasha) January 12, 2023
Then why @CricketAus palyed against @ACBofficials in @T20WorldCup Last year???
— Chaudhary Faysal Ramzan (@FaysalRamzan986) January 12, 2023
We will not play against them, meanwhile we will continue to engage their players in BBL.
— Basra!!!! (@basrasahab) January 12, 2023
Fully support 👏
— Garthism (@garthism7) January 12, 2023
Big W ✌
— JustMyThoughts (@shaibal_27) January 12, 2023
Nothing new, CA finding a way to cancel playing against weak teams.
It has been this way for the last 70 years. https://t.co/Vqp2yzFml7
— A-Man (@ratedAMAN) January 12, 2023
Good to see at least somebody is protesting against Taliban’s activities. https://t.co/JDaFTQJRoi
— DIVYANSH¹⁷ ॐ (@ImDivyansh_17) January 12, 2023
