The Afghanistan Cricket Board has slammed Cricket Australia’s “pathetic” resolution to withdraw from March’s three-match ODI sequence within the United Arab Emirates, threatening to contact the International Cricket Council and prohibit Afghan gamers from taking part within the Big Bash League.
On Thursday afternoon, CA introduced its resolution to tug out of the white-ball sequence in response to the Taliban’s remedy of girls, together with rising restrictions on schooling and employment alternatives.
The Taliban just lately banned teenage women from colleges and forbade ladies from attending universities in Afghanistan, which sparked world backlash.
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CA consulted related stakeholders and the Australian Government earlier than withdrawing from the sequence, a call that didn’t resonate effectively with Afghanistan’s cricket stars.
Adelaide Strikers leg-spinner Rashid Khan, one of many Big Bash Leauge’s hottest gamers, launched an announcement claiming he was “strongly considering” his future within the competitors.
“I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March,” Khan tweeted on Thursday night.
“I take great pride in representing my country and we have made great progress on the world stage. This decision from CA sets us back in that journey.
“If playing vs Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL.”
Afghanistan bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who represented the Sydney Sixers this summer time, additionally threatened to boycott the BBL following CA’s announcement.
Former Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib posted to Twitter: “I was not expecting a country like Australia to encourage the ICC to harm men’s cricket as well, so it was an irresponsible decision taken by Cricket Australia … don’t use sports like a tool for politicians.”
On Thursday night, the ACB launched an strongly-worded assertion in response to CA’s “unfair and unexpected” withdrawal, accusing the organisation of “prioritising political interests over the principles of fair play and sportsmanship”.
“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 assertion learn.
“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.”
However, the ACB didn’t as soon as point out ladies’s rights as soon as within the 445-word assertion, as a substitute bragging they “discourage young people from getting involved in drugs”.
Since the Taliban regained management of Afghanistan in August 2021, a lot of Afghanistan’s feminine athletes have reportedly gone into hiding and acquired loss of life threats.
During the Taliban’s oppressive regime from 1996 to 2001, ladies had been fully banned from enjoying any sport or receiving schooling. Sports stadiums had been commonly used for public executions.
Afghanistan stays the one ICC full member nation with out a ladies’s crew.
Australia was scheduled to play a Test match in opposition to Afghanistan in November 2021, however the historic fixture was ”postponed” following the Taliban invasion.
“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,” CA stated in an announcement.
“We thank the Australian Government for its support on this matter.”
Australia is scheduled to face Afghanistan in a three-match T20 sequence at a impartial venue in August 2024 earlier than the Asian nation excursions Australia in August 2026 for 3 T20Is and a Test match.
Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Full Statement
Afghanistan Cricket Board is extraordinarily disenchanted and saddened by the pathetic assertion of Cricket Australia to withdraw from Afghanistan’s dwelling three-match ODI sequence in March and can formally write to the International Cricket Council in regards to the subject.
Cricket Australia’s resolution to withdraw from upcoming matches in opposition to Afghanistan is coming after session and potential enforcement from the Australian Government which is an unlucky try and enter the realm of politics and politicise the game.
By prioritising political pursuits over the rules of truthful play and sportsmanship, Cricket Australia is undermining the integrity of the sport and damaging the connection between the 2 nations.
The resolution to withdraw from enjoying the upcoming ODI sequence in opposition to Afghanistan is unfair and surprising and may have a damaging influence on the event and progress of cricket in Afghanistan in addition to will have an effect on the love and fervour of the Afghan nation for the sport.
The latest resolution by Cricket Australia to withdraw from upcoming matches in opposition to Afghanistan has triggered a substantial amount of concern throughout the Afghan cricket group. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is intently monitoring the state of affairs and is contemplating taking motion, together with formally writing to ICC and rethinking the participation of Afghan gamers within the Big Bash League (BBL), if the choice to withdraw from Afghanistan’s dwelling sequence just isn’t overturned.
Cricket has performed a big function in selling unity and nationwide satisfaction in Afghanistan. After years of battle and battle, cricket has helped to convey folks collectively and supply a way of normalcy to the nation. It has additionally been an necessary supply of hope and inspiration for all Afghans, notably younger folks. In addition, Cricket has additionally been an necessary device for selling schooling and social growth within the nation.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has been working to advertise cricket in colleges and universities, and it has additionally been utilizing the game to advertise wholesome life and discourage younger folks from getting concerned in medicine and crime. Cricket has been an necessary device for selling peace, unity, and growth in Afghanistan, and it’ll proceed to be a supply of inspiration and hope for the folks of the nation within the years to come back.
Afghanistan’s three-match ODI sequence in opposition to Australia in March is taken into account to be Afghanistan’s sixth sequence within the ICC Cricket World Cup’s Super League, which is ready to be hosted by Afghanistan in UAE and the ACB has already settled all of the required logistical preparations.
Afghanistan Cricket Board has all the time been responsive and expressed its willingness to work along with Cricket Australia and different member boards together with stakeholders; to discover a answer that helps the event of the sport in Afghanistan.
Originally printed as Afghanistan Cricket Board slams Cricket Australia’s ‘pathetic’ resolution to withdraw from ODI sequence
