Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has finally reacted to Cricket Australia's decision to postpone the T20I series against Afghanistan which was scheduled to be played in August later this year. Afghanistan Cricket's statement came a day after Cricket Australia decided to postpone the T20I series after a consultation with the Australian government amidst the deteriorating human rights for women and girls in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the rule in the country. The Taliban’s reign in Afghanistan put a leash on women’s rights to work and study.
Cricket Australia earlier said in their statement:
“CA will continue its commitment to the participation of women and girls cricket around the world and will work closely with the ICC and the Afghanistan Cricket Board to resume bilateral matches in the future."
ACB wants CA to not succumb to external pressures
Meanwhile, Afghanistan Cricket Board in their statement expressed disappointment on Cricket Australia’s decision to postpone another bilateral series. Notably, this is the third time Cricket Australia has taken this decision to postpone the series against Afghanistan. This series was part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme. Australia had earlier postponed a Test in 2021 and an ODI series in 2023. Owing to this Afghanistan superstar all-rounder Rashid Khan had warned CA to boycott BBL, however he returned to the Adelaide Strikers later.
“ACB urges Cricket Australia to respect and understands its position as a Full Member nation and look for alternative solutions rather than succumbing to external pressures and/or political influences," ACB said in their statement.
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ACB expresses disappointment with CA's decision to postpone T20I series
ACB said in a release that their top management had earlier negotiated with Cricket Australia and they proposed some solutions before they publicly announced the withdrawal.
“ACB’s top management had previously engaged in negotiations with Cricket Australia and proposed exploring alternative solutions instead of publicly announcing withdrawals. ACB expresses disappointment over CA’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan for the third time,” ACB's statement further read.
ACB further stated that they remain committed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) principles to ensure cricket is played with no politics involved and is supported by all the parties.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board remains committed to negotiating with the International Cricket Council, Cricket Australia, & other full member countries and adhering to ICC principles to ensure cricket remains free from political influence and supported by all parties involved”. ACB further stated.
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