Cricket Australia has pulled out of its three-match ODI series against Afghanistan due to recent curbs on the rights of women to play sport in the country.
Key points:
- Afghanistan was set to host Australia in three ODIs in March this year in the UAE
- Cricket Australia cancelled a planned inaugural Test match between the two nations in 2021
- Afghanistan played Australia in the T20 World Cup last year
The Australian men’s side was set to meet Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates in March.
However, Cricket Australia said in a statement that it would be “unable to proceed” with the tour at this time following consultation with the Australian government.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
Cricket Australia also postponed a highly anticipated inaugural Test match between the countries in Hobart in November 2021 as a result of the Taliban’s return to power and the curbs that were placed on women’s right to play sport.
The Taliban said after it returned to power that it did not support women and girls playing cricket, despite the ability to do so being a condition of its membership to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“We made our position very, very clear off the back of some earlier comments [made by the Taliban] around — potentially — cricket as a sport for women and girls not being supported in Afghanistan,” Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley said at the time.
“We unequivocally want to support the growth of cricket for women and men all around the world, including in Afghanistan.”
Australia has previously played Afghanistan in just four limited-overs matches, three ODIs and a T20I during the last World Cup, held in Australia last month.
Afghanistan lost all three games that it was able to play at last year’s T20 World Cup, including a narrow four-run defeat to Australia at Adelaide Oval.
The ICC Future Tours Programme has Australia hosting Afghanistan in three standalone T20 Internationals in August 2024, as well as a historic inaugural Test match in August 2026 — although this cancellation places those matches in doubt.
“CA is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanistan,” the Cricket Australia statement said, adding it would “continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country.”