Australia withdraws from the Afghan cricket series due to the Taliban's treatment of women

 Australia said on Thursday that it would not participate in a scheduled one-day series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates due to Taliban efforts to severely curtail women's rights.



Following a tour of India, the men's squad was scheduled to play three games against their Afghan counterparts as part of the ICC Super League in March.


However, Cricket Australia said that it will not go further after discussions with interested parties, including the Australian government.


It issued a statement saying, "This decision comes in response to the Taliban's recent declaration of more limitations on women's and girls' access to parks and gyms, as well as their prospects for employment and education.

"CA is dedicated to promoting the expansion of the game for both men and women worldwide, especially in Afghanistan.


It continued, thanking Canberra for its support, "(We) will continue to interact with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in expectation of improving conditions for women and girls in the nation."


For the series, Australia will give up 30 competition points that count toward World Cup qualification. However, they have already qualified automatically for the 50-over competition in India in October.


Midway through 2021, the Taliban took back power in the Asian country, and they quickly imposed limitations on female athletes.


They also forbade teenage girls from attending secondary schools, and last month they forbade women from enrolling in universities, which sparked outcry around the world.

Women were recently informed that they could no longer work in the assistance industry in Afghanistan.


In addition, women have been forced out of various government positions, forbidden from travelling alone, and told to dress modestly outside the home, preferably with a burqa.

Due to the Taliban government's "concerning" limitations on women's and girls' activities in the country, the Australian men's team withdrew from a planned series against Afghanistan.


In March, the United Arab Emirates was to host a three-match one-day series that is a part of the ICC Super League.

However, Cricket Australia decided against proceeding following "substantial deliberation" with relevant parties, including the Australian government.


The Taliban has announced additional limitations on women's and girls' access to parks and gyms, work possibilities, and education, according to a CA statement.


"CA is dedicated to advancing the sport for both sexes around the globe, especially in Afghanistan. We will keep working with the Afghanistan Cricket Board as we anticipate better conditions for women and girls there.


"We are grateful for the Australian Government's assistance in this case."

Afghanistan will be given Australia's 30 competition points for the series, which count toward World Cup qualification. However, Australia has already qualified automatically for the October ODI World Cup in India.


Afghanistan will not have a squad at the inaugural Women's U19 T20 World Cup, which gets underway on Saturday, as it is the only ICC full member country without a women's side.


The ICC is still concerned about the situation, and CEO Geoff Allardice stated last night that the latest developments in Afghanistan would undoubtedly be brought up at the ICC's next meeting.


During a virtual press conference, Allardice stated, "Obviously, the recent developments (banning higher education for girls) in Afghanistan are troubling."

Since the shift in the regime, our board has been keeping an eye on the developments. The lack of advancement in Afghanistan is concerning, and our board will discuss it at its next meeting in March. As far as we can tell, nothing is happening right now.




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