Cricket 2023: Afghanistan star threatens to withdraw from BBL in response to Australia tour cancel

One of the BBL’s biggest stars, Rashid Khan, has launched a stinging attack on Cricket Australia and threatened to walk away after CA’s decision to pull out of ODI series.

Rashid Khan has threatened to turn his back on the Big Bash League following Australia’s decision to boycott playing his homeland, Afghanistan.

Arguably the best international export in BBL history, Khan has launched a stinging attack on Cricket Australia over its decision to pull out of an ODI series against Afghanistan in March over a human rights stand.

Cricket Australia announced on Thursday that the men’s team had withdrawn from an upcoming series against Afghanistan to be staged in the UAE in response to the ruling Taliban’s “concerning” restrictions on women and girl’s activities in the nation.

However, the political stance – which was backed by the Australian Government – could cost the Big Bash its biggest star.

Rashid Khan is one of the the BBL’s biggest stars. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March,” Rashid wrote on twitter.

“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 in 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.”

Rashid played eight matches for the Adelaide Strikers this season before abandoning the competition after January 5 to head to South Africa on massive money for a new cashed-up T20 franchise league which runs against the BBL.

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

The Afghanistan Cricket Board labelled CA’s more as “pathetic” and threatened their player’s participation in the BBL.

“Afghanistan Cricket Board is extremely disappointed and saddened by the pathetic statement of Cricket Australia to withdraw from Afghanistan’s home three-match ODI series in March and will officially write to the International Cricket Council about the issue,” the ACB said in a statement.

“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 (ACB) is closely monitoring the situation and is considering taking action, including officially writing to ICC and rethinking the participation of Afghan players in the Big Bash League (BBL), if the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan’s home series is not overturned.”

The Big Bash helped launch the superstar leg-spinner’s career and he has become a household name with his performances for Adelaide.

Even this summer, Rashid provided one of the highlights of the Australian season, when he jumped into the nets to bowl to West Indian legend Brian Lara on Fox Cricket.

Another Afghanistan star has also lashed CA for its boycott.

“Just read the news of Australia not playing the series against us,” Rahmanulla Gurbaz wrote on social media.

“We should never mix politics with cricket and we are expecting the world to support Afghanistan in this difficult situation rather than taking away the only one happiness we have. This is shocking and unacceptable act of CA.”

The International Cricket Council allowed Afghanistan to compete in the recent Twenty20 World Cup, with Australia playing them in the group stages in Adelaide.

But after “extensive consultation” with relevant stakeholders, including the Australian government, Cricket Australia decided that it would refuse to play Afghanistan in bilateral competition.

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan with David Warner during the T20 World Cup. Picture: Brenton EDWARDS / AFP

“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,” a CA statement said.

“CA is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country.

“We thank the Australian Government for its support on this matter.”

Australia has never played Afghanistan in a bilateral international series.

Originally published as Cricket 2023: Afghanistan star threatens to withdraw from BBL in response to Australia tour cancel