Cricket Australia postpones Afghanistan series in support of women’s rights

Cricket Australia has postponed a Twenty20 international series against Afghanistan’s men’s team for the second time in a year in support of women’s rights.

Afghanistan was to host three T20 matches against Australia in August, probably in the UAE, but CA released a statement late on Tuesday saying the series would not go ahead.

Glenn Maxwell scored a double century against Afghanistan during last year’s World Cup.

Following consultation with the Australian government, CA postponed a one-day series against Afghanistan last March after a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls in the country under Taliban rule.

At the time CA said it would: “Continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country”.

CA has continued to consult with the government on the situation in Afghanistan.

“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’s statement said on Tuesday.

“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.

“We again thank the Australian Government for its support.”

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi rallies his side during last year’s World Cup.

Australia’s stance is in stark contrast to that of the International Cricket Council, dominated by India, which continues to let Afghanistan’s men’s team compete despite the ICC’s own charter clearly stating that countries must have men’s and women’s teams.

Afghanistan has continued to play bilateral series against most Test countries and participate in ICC events. CA were criticised for hypocrisy when they played Afghanistan in last year’s World Cup.

Women’s rights have been quashed since the Taliban retook Afghanistan during August 2021.

India takes a similar position with Pakistan, refusing to play them in bilateral series for political reasons but competing again them in ICC events.

CA was strongly criticised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board for postponing last year’s one-day series.

“Cricket Australia’s decision to withdraw from upcoming matches against Afghanistan is coming after consultation and potential enforcement from the Australian Government which is an unfortunate attempt to enter the realm of politics and politicise the sport,” the ACB statement said at the time.

“Cricket Australia is undermining the integrity of the game and damaging the relationship between the two nations.

“The decision to withdraw from playing the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan is unfair and unexpected and will have a negative impact on the development and growth of cricket in Afghanistan as well as will affect the love and passion of the Afghan nation for the game.”

The ACB did not mention women’s rights in its statement. It said it was “using the sport to promote healthy lifestyles and discourage young people from getting involved in drugs and crime.”

Afghanistan has never had a competitive women’s cricket team. many female sportswomen in Afghanistan fled the country or went into hiding when the Taliban retook control of Kabul in August 2021 after international forces left the country.

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