Cricket Australia Postpones T20 Series Against Afghanistan Over Human Rights Concerns

Cricket Australia has postponed a three-match Twenty20 international series against Afghanistan scheduled for August, citing concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation for women and girls under Taliban rule which came to power after the United States abandoned the state at its own peril.

The matches, originally slated to be hosted by Afghanistan but played in the United Arab Emirates, mark the third series Cricket Australia has declined to play against the Afghan team since the Taliban takeover in September 2021.

Since then, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women’s participation in sports, work, education, and travel. However, other countries such as Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan have been playing bilateral series with Afghanistan.

Australia had previously cancelled a test match scheduled for Hobart in November 2021 and a three-match ODI series set for March 2023. In the same year, they played Afghanistan at Cricket World Cup 2023, the act was criticised by eminent sports journalist who said that id Australia can’t play bilaterals directly, why they playing Afghanistan in tournaments.

The teams have, however, faced off in international tournaments. Notably, Australia emerged victorious over Afghanistan in a closely contested match during the 2023 Cricket World Cup en route to winning the championship title.

Citing advice from the Australian government, Cricket Australia stated in a press release on Tuesday, “conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan are getting worse.”

“Therefore, we have upheld our previous position and will postpone the bilateral series against Afghanistan,” the statement continued. “Cricket Australia remains firmly committed to supporting the participation of women and girls in cricket worldwide.

We will actively engage with the International Cricket Council and collaborate closely with the Afghanistan Cricket Board to explore potential actions that could facilitate the resumption of bilateral matches.”

Afghanistan currently stands as the only full member nation of the International Cricket Council without a women’s cricket team.