ACB says the decision to withdraw from playing the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan is unfair
Australia has removed the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan planned to be played in the UAE in March while Cricket Australia announced the cancellation on Thursday (January 12) after conversations with key stakeholders including the government.
Australia has removed the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan planned to be played in the UAE in March. Cricket Australia announced the cancellation on Thursday (January 12) after conversations with key stakeholders including the government.
In its statement, CA expressed that the decision was shown up following the ruling Taliban’s announcement about further curbs on women and girls’ education and employment in Afghanistan.
“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. We thank the Australian Government for its support on this matter,”
the CA statement read.
Afghanistan is the only full member nation without a women’s team and a representative participating team at the inaugural Women’s Under-19 World Cup, starting later this week.
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice recognized that recent developments were “concerning”, and said the topic would be raised at the ICC’s next meeting.
“Our board has been monitoring progress since the change of regime,”
Allardice said.
“It is a concern that progress is not being made in Afghanistan and it’s something our board will consider at its next meeting in March. As far as we are aware, there isn’t any activity at the moment.”
By pulling out from the series, Australia will concede 30 ODI Super League points to Afghanistan that were on offer in Australia’s last assignment of the cycle.
But the five-time champions won’t be impacted by the loss of points, having already secured qualification to the 50-over World Cup, that’ll be held in India in October-November this year.
ACB, in a media release, said it was “extremely disappointed and saddened” by Cricket Australia’s decision to withdraw from the series, and said it is considering
“officially writing to ICC and rethinking the participation of Afghan players in the Big Bash League (BBL)”.
“Afghanistan Cricket Board is extremely disappointed and saddened by the pathetic statement of Cricket Australia to withdraw from Afghanistan’s home three-match ODI series in March, and will officially write to the International Cricket Council about the issue.
“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 politicize the sport. By prioritizing political interests over the principles of fair play and sportsmanship, 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 recent decision by Cricket Australia to withdraw from upcoming matches against Afghanistan has caused a great deal of concern within the Afghan cricket community. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is closely monitoring the situation and is considering taking action, including officially writing to ICC and rethinking the participation of Afghan players in the Big Bash League (BBL), if the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan’s home series is not overturned.”
