'Come with better excuses next time'- Twitter lambasts Cricket Australia for their refusal to play bilateral series in Afghanistan

In a shocking and unexpected decision, Cricket Australia happened to withdraw from the ODIs scheduled in March in UAE against Afghanistan. This decision from Cricket Australia didn’t really go down well with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and they are very angry over this ‘politically-influenced’ decision of Cricket Australia.

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Later on, the ACB cleared that it will address this issue with cricket’s governing body and also threw an accusation on the Aussie that they are ‘prioritizing political interests over fair play and integrity of the game of cricket’.

Prior to this, CA came up with a sudden decision to step back from the 50-overs assignment against Afghanistan two months later in March 2023. The Australian Board mentioned that the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls’ education in Afghanistan are the reasons that compelled them not to play against the country. Although it’s not the first time when Aussies did this, they also denied appearing in a Test match that was scheduled against Afghanistan back in 2021.

This rigid stance of cricket Australia went on to hurt the star Afghanistan cricketer and recently appointed captain in the T20Is, Rashid Khan. World number T20I bowler appears for the team of Adelaide Strikers Big Bash League, the premier T20 league of Australia. Rashid hinted about pulling out from BBL following the boycott by Australia.

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then I wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL – Rashid Khan on a decision by Cricket Australia

"I am really disappointed to hear that Australia has pulled out of the series to play us in March. I take great pride in representing my country, and we have made great progress on the world stage. This decision from CA sets us back on that journey. If playing vs Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia, then I wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will be strongly considering my future in that competition," wrote Rashid in a tweet on his official Twitter handle.

Cricket! The only hope for the country.
Keep politics out of it. @CricketAus @BBL @ACBofficials ♥️ 🇦🇫 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ZPpvOBetPJ

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) January 12, 2023

Following a blunt reaction from the 24-year-old, Cricket Australia also fell prey to a hard-and-fast-lined criticism and faced flak on the social media platform, Twitter. Both the cricketers and the fans happened to burst their anger over the mindset of Cricket Australia and the ‘politically-motivated’ decision.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

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Wow! Cricket Australia is so concerned about women's rights in Afghanistan that they cancel their series against them that was to be played in UAE! Does it make any sense? Maybe come with better excuses!
Btw, what steps have they taken against the alleged racism in stadiums?

— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) January 12, 2023

time to say won’t be participating in big bash after this until they stop these childish decisions that’s how they went about the one off test now ODI when a country is going through so much in place off being supportive you want to take the only reason of happiness from them #CA

— Naveen ul haq Murid (@imnaveenulhaq) January 12, 2023

Love that unity coming from Afghanistan cricket team. They are the true face of Afghanistan and not the Taliban. Cricket Australia must really consider it. Cricket and Terrorism are different and should be treated separately.

— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) January 12, 2023

@CricketAus @ICC @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/0rETaPdxc0

— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) January 12, 2023

Really shocked & speechless to know about the decision of CA of cancelling the ODI series against us.politics & sports are completely 2 different things but it’s very sad & frustrating to see sports is getting deprived for politics.

— Ibrahim Zadran (@IZadran18) January 12, 2023

Just read the news of Australia not playing the series against us. We should never mix politics with cricket & We are expecting the world to support Afg in this difficult situation rather then taking away the only one happiness we have. This is shocking & unacceptable act of CA

— Rahmanullah Gurbaz (@RGurbaz_21) January 12, 2023

Strongly condemn the withdrawal by @cricketcomau from the series. Especially when cricket is one of few things to cherish for Afghan people.While Afghan cricketers playing key role in different leagues around the world as a vital part of cricketing family….

— Rahmat Shah (@RahmatShah_08) January 12, 2023

Wow! Cricket Australia is so concerned about women's rights in Afghanistan that they cancel their series against them that was to be played in UAE! Does it make any sense? Maybe come with better excuses!
Btw, what steps have they taken against the alleged racism in stadiums?

— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) January 12, 2023

Did Cricket Australia @CricketAus imposed any restrictions on their cricket team/players bcaz of the war crimes committed by their soldiers in #Afghanistan? If not, their today’s statement makes no sense! It’s just a show off and pure double standards.

via @bbcworldservice pic.twitter.com/J7o3Mti6B1

— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) January 12, 2023

Cricket Australia showing the rest of the world how not to sit idly by and ignore the of Afghan women under the repressive Taliban rule.

Good on them and the Australian Government for not continuing to turn a blind eye or hide behind “ongoing consultations” with the Taliban. pic.twitter.com/7VhrWV773u

— Kalika Mehta (@Journo_K) January 12, 2023

What a pathetic decision by @cricketcomau They should know that cricket is not a playground for politics. Please don’t mix politics with cricket. Cricket is symbol of happiness that brings people and nations together. #CricketAustralia @ACBofficials

— Sharafuddin Ashraf (@sharafashraf82) January 12, 2023