Expressing their “disappointment,” the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) voiced concerns regarding Cricket Australia (CA) postponing yet another bilateral series between the two teams. The AFG vs AUS T20 Series was supposed to be played in August this year in UAE.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expresses disappointment over Cricket Australia’s decision to postpone yet another bilateral series against Afghanistan and reiterates its stance on neutral and politics-free cricket across the globe.”
“ACB advocates for keeping cricket distinct from political influence, considering the game’s significance in Afghanistan and its connection to the happiness and joy of the Afghan Nation,” read the statement.
“The ACB urges the Australian government not to impose its policies on cricket boards, and instead focus on supporting the development of cricket across regions,” the statement emphasized. Additionally, the ACB’s top management had engaged in prior negotiations with Cricket Australia, proposing alternative solutions rather than public withdrawals.
Why did Australia postpone the AFG vs AUS series?
The recent decision arose following consultations with the Australian government, where CA cited “a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls” in Afghanistan as the reason for Australia’s withdrawal from the three-match T20I series at a neutral venue.
This marks the third instance of Australia retracting from bilateral engagements with Afghanistan, despite the previous series being scheduled in the ICC’s future tours programme. The reasons, consistent with past occurrences, revolve around human rights concerns in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s assumption of government control. Notably, Australia postponed the first Test in 2021 and an ODI series in 2023 due to similar issues.
ACB asks CA to look beyond politics
Highlighting that the now-postponed T20I series “was approved by the ICC in the presence of the CA delegation, who had agreed to the fixtures at the time,” the ACB urged Cricket Australia to recognize Afghanistan’s position as a Full Member nation and seek alternative solutions rather than succumb to external pressures or political influences.
The board reaffirmed its commitment to neutral and politics-free cricket worldwide, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the sport from political interference. Moreover, the ACB expressed openness to negotiations to uphold cricket’s integrity and independence from political influences.
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