The new regime of Taliban in Afghanistan is slowly creeping into sports. After the Taliban regime in the war torn country banned the education of girls' education in the country, things started to go south. According to recent news, Cricket Australia have decided to withdraw from their tour of Afghanistan which was scheduled to happen in March.
Following the decision by Taliban regime in Afghanistan to ban University education for girls in Afghanistan, Cricket Australia withdrew from the bilateral series by condemning Taliban's decision.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) believes that the Cricket Australia 's decision to withdraw from the bilateral series is a step towards politicising the sport. They also believe that this decision is unfair on Afghanistan cricket. In their statement, they also said that cricket has been an uniting force in Afghanistan and highlighted their efforts to improve the junior cricket.
Taking their angst on Cricket Australia, Afghanistan Cricket Board said:
"Cricket Australia's decision to withdraw from upcoming matches against Afghanistan is coming after consultation and potential enforcement from the Australian Government, which is an unfortunate attempt to enter the realm of politics and politicise the sport"
The decision to withdraw from playing the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan is unfair and unexpected, and will have a negative impact on the development and growth of cricket in Afghanistan as well as will affect the love and passion of the Afghan nation for the game"
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to take the matter to International Cricket Council (ICC) if Cricket Australia doesn't reconsider their decision.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) released the statement following the outrage by their premier leg break bowler, Rashid Khan. The leggie expressed his disappointment on Twitter alongside threatening to pull out of the Big Bash League (BBL).
Cricket! The only hope for the country.
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) January 12, 2023
Keep politics out of it. @CricketAus @BBL @ACBofficials ♥️ 🇦🇫 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ZPpvOBetPJ
If the series doesn't go through, Cricket Australia will play against England after their bilateral series against India in India.