Australia Cancels Afghanistan Cricket Series Due to Taliban’s Gender Restrictions

Australia’s men’s cricket team has opted out of a series of upcoming matches against Afghanistan, citing Cricket Australia (CA) on Thursday, in protest against the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls’ education and employment.

The scheduled three One Day International (ODI) games in the United Arab Emirates for March have been canceled by CA after extensive consultation with various stakeholders, including the Australian government.

“CA remains dedicated to promoting and expanding the game for women and men globally, including in Afghanistan. We will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board with hopes of improved conditions for women and girls in the country,” the statement asserted.

In December, the Taliban announced the suspension of university education for all female students, following a March decision to bar girls from returning to secondary schools. These actions came after prolonged closures since the Taliban’s assumption of power in August 2021.

In response to CA’s decision, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) condemned it as “pathetic” and an attempt to politicize sports. “By prioritizing political interests over fair play and sportsmanship, Cricket Australia undermines the integrity of the game and damages bilateral relations,” the ACB stated.

“The withdrawal from the upcoming ODI series is unfair and unexpected, negatively impacting cricket’s development in Afghanistan and dampening the nation’s passion for the game.”

The ACB is weighing its response, including potential action with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and reevaluating Afghan players’ participation in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

These remarks followed comments from prominent Afghan player Rashid Khan, who expressed disappointment with Australia’s decision.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of Australia’s withdrawal from our upcoming series in March,” Khan tweeted. “Representing my country fills me with pride, and this decision sets back our journey.”

Australia had previously canceled a proposed Test match against Afghanistan in Tasmania in November 2021 due to the Taliban’s ban on women in sports.

“Promoting global women’s cricket growth is vital to Cricket Australia. Our vision is an inclusive sport at all levels, and we wholeheartedly support women’s cricket,” CA affirmed.

Australia’s sports minister Anika Wells endorsed CA’s decision on Twitter, welcoming the move in response to the Taliban’s increasing suppression of women and girls’ rights.

Despite Taliban assurances to protect women’s rights, their actions have contradicted these promises, eroding freedoms women fought to achieve over the past two decades.

Following the ban on female NGO employees, the United Nations and several major foreign aid groups have suspended operations in Afghanistan temporarily.