Afghanistan Cricket Denounce the Australia Cricket Team’s Boycott: Afghan cricketers are among the most vocal critics of Australia’s decision to postpone a scheduled March cricket series.
Cricket is the sole hope for the nation. Don’t bring politics into it. Afghanistan’s most famous cricketer, Rashid Khan, tweeted in response to Australia’s withdrawal from the March One-Day International (ODI) series against the south Asian nation.
Khan, the captain of the T20 side and the public face of Afghan cricket, was not alone. A chorus of opposition to Australia’s decision to boycott the Afghan men’s team soon arose, notably from other cricket players.
I was utterly shocked when I learned that Australia had withdrawn from the March series against us. Khan uttered those words in a statement he released on Thursday. “We have made significant progress on the international stage, and I take great pride in serving my country,” Khan added.
He said, “This decision by CA (Cricket Australia) puts us back on that path.”
Mohammad Nabi, a former captain of the Afghan cricket team, condemned the cancellation of the scheduled Dubai series.
He noted that Afghan cricketers are role models and proud representatives of the cricketing community and asked everyone to separate politics and sports.
Afghan fast bowler Naveen ul Q Murid responded to the cancellation of the series as “childish” and claimed that, rather than providing support, Australia had deprived Afghans of their primary source of joy. Using the hashtag #StopPoliticsinCricket, Afghans expressed their feelings, with some appreciating the Australian action.
The Australian Cricket Board explained that its decision was prompted by the Taliban’s recent announcement to restrict women’s freedom severely. Women were forbidden from attending institutions and working for nongovernmental groups as of last month. In addition, women are not permitted to complete the sixth grade or work in most employment outside the house.
Just read that Australia has decided not to play us in the series. Politics and cricket should never be combined, and we expect the international community to stand with Afghanistan during this difficult time instead of stealing our sole source of happiness. This action by CA is unacceptable and abhorrent.
(@RGurbaz 21) Rahmanullah Gurbaz
The Afghanistan Cricket Denounce the Australia Cricket Team’s Boycott
The Australian government supports the decision of the board
Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, expressed his dismay that the Taliban have not yet issued a statement.
“Disappointed with the decision made by the Australian Cricket Board, especially in light of the difficulties faced by the Afghan people. He tweeted that we continue to be incredibly proud of our national cricket team and our young athletes.
Cricket is immensely popular in a country that has been torn apart by decades of conflict and occupation. Despite the unrest and violence in Afghanistan, cricket players and others have emphasized how the sport has helped Afghans smile. After twenty years, the US-led foreign forces departed Afghanistan in August 2021, restoring the Taliban to power.
When Australia cancelled a one-off test match set for November 2021 in Hobart, Australia, they cited the same reasons.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board called Cricket Australia’s decision “pitiful.” It was promised that the International Cricket Council, the sport’s supreme governing body, would be contacted. The International Criminal Court has not yet responded to the situation.
“Cricket has helped the government get back to normal after years of war and violence. In addition, it has been a tremendous source of inspiration and hopes for all Afghans, but most especially for the younger generation.
The Afghan cricketer Khan also alluded to leaving Australia’s Big Bash T20 League. Khan is an Adelaide Strikers team member.
“I wouldn’t want to play in the BBL if playing Afghanistan makes Australia feel bad, so I’ll keep thinking about how I did in the tournament.
Australia defended their choice to call off their cricket match against Afghanistan on Friday.
In a statement to AFP, Cricket Australia’s CEO, Nick Hockley, said that “fundamental human rights are not political.”
