Cricket Australia Postpones Series Against Afghanistan Amid Human Rights Concerns
Cricket Australia (CA) has decided to delay the three-match men’s T20I series against Afghanistan initially slated for August this year. This postponement follows the Australian cricket board's earlier decision to defer the ODI series against Afghanistan, initially scheduled for March 2023, owing to significant concerns regarding the deteriorating human rights situation for women and girls in Afghanistan.
“We would Continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country,” Cricket Australia reiterated in a statement.
Over the course of the past twelve months, CA has maintained a continuous dialogue with the Australian Government concerning the circumstances prevailing in Afghanistan. The governmental counsel underscores a worsening environment for women and girls in Afghanistan. Consequently, CA has reaffirmed its stance and opted to defer the bilateral series against Afghanistan.
CA remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering the participation of women and girls in cricket globally. The board pledges to actively collaborate with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and closely cooperate with the Afghanistan Cricket Board to explore measures facilitating the potential resumption of bilateral matches in the future.
In a statement released on Tuesday, CA underscored that the Australian government has advised that the ‘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,”stated CA.
“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,” it added.
Afghanistan, notably, stands as the sole ICC full-member nation without a women’s team. Meanwhile, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice affirmed the ICC's unwavering support for Afghanistan as a full member.
“We have spoken with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and their position is they have to operate within the laws of the country and the rules as set by the government, and really the question for the ICC Board is ‘do we support our member in their ability to promote cricket within the rules set by the government of the country?’, and the view is yes,” Allardice told BBC.
“We would Continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country,” Cricket Australia reiterated in a statement.
Over the course of the past twelve months, CA has maintained a continuous dialogue with the Australian Government concerning the circumstances prevailing in Afghanistan. The governmental counsel underscores a worsening environment for women and girls in Afghanistan. Consequently, CA has reaffirmed its stance and opted to defer the bilateral series against Afghanistan.
CA remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering the participation of women and girls in cricket globally. The board pledges to actively collaborate with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and closely cooperate with the Afghanistan Cricket Board to explore measures facilitating the potential resumption of bilateral matches in the future.
In a statement released on Tuesday, CA underscored that the Australian government has advised that the ‘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,”stated CA.
“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,” it added.
Afghanistan, notably, stands as the sole ICC full-member nation without a women’s team. Meanwhile, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice affirmed the ICC's unwavering support for Afghanistan as a full member.
“We have spoken with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and their position is they have to operate within the laws of the country and the rules as set by the government, and really the question for the ICC Board is ‘do we support our member in their ability to promote cricket within the rules set by the government of the country?’, and the view is yes,” Allardice told BBC.
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