Cricket Australia has decided to withdraw from March’s ODI series against Afghanistan in response to the Taliban’s treatment of women, including growing restrictions on education and employment opportunities.
The Australian men’s team was scheduled to face Afghanistan in three ODIs in the United Arab Emirates as part of the ICC Super League, but the white-ball series will not go ahead as planned following Thursday’s announcement.
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The Taliban recently banned teenage girls from school and forbid women from attending university in Afghanistan, a decision that sparked global backlash.
“Following extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Australian Government, Cricket Australia has decided that it is unable to proceed at this time with the upcoming ICC Super League three-match Men’s ODI series between Australia and Afghanistan scheduled for the UAE in March 2023,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“This decision follows the recent announcement by the Taliban of further restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment opportunities and their ability to access parks and gyms.
“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.”
Australia, who has already secured automatic qualification for the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, will subsequently forfeit the series, awarding 30 competition points to Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, many of Afghanistan’s female athletes have reportedly gone into hiding and received death threats.
Ahmadullah Wasiq, deputy head of the Taliban‘s cultural commission, told SBS News it was “not necessary” for women to play sport.
“In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this,” Wasiq said in September 2021.
“It is the media era, and there will be photos and videos, and then people watch it. Islam and the Islamic Emirate do not allow women to play cricket or play the kind of sports where they get exposed.
“In cricket and other sports, women will not get an Islamic dress code. It is obvious that they will get exposed and will not follow the dress code, and Islam does not allow that.”
During the Taliban’s oppressive regime from 1996 to 2001, women were completely banned from playing any sport or receiving education. Sports stadiums were regularly used for public executions.
Australia was scheduled to play a Test match against Afghanistan in November 2021, but the historic fixture was ”postponed” following the Taliban invasion.
Afghanistan remains the only ICC full member nation without a women’s team, but has continued to appear at ICC events since the Taliban takeover, facing Australia at Adelaide Oval during the recent Men’s T20 World Cup.
“Our board has been monitoring progress since the change of regime,” ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said recently.
“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 activity at the moment.”
