Australia to cancel Afghanistan Test if women barred from sport

Spectators wave Afghanistan and Taliban flags at a Twenty20 cricket trial match in Kabul last week. Australia said Thursday they will call off a historic first ever Test against Afghanistan unless the Taliban allows women to play sport

Spectators wave Afghanistan and Taliban flags at a Twenty20 cricket trial match in Kabul last week. Australia said Thursday they will call off a historic first ever Test against Afghanistan unless the Taliban allows women to play sport

Cricket Australia on Thursday said it would cancel a historic maiden Test match against Afghanistan unless the Taliban backtracks on a reported ban on women playing sport.

The governing body said the first ever men's Test between the two nations in November was under serious threat after the deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq, reportedly said women would not play cricket, or any other sport, under the new regime.

"In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this.

The Taliban said shortly after taking power that the schedule for the Afghanistan men's team would not be interrupted, leading Cricket Australia to announce earlier this month it still hoped to host the landmark match on November 27.

"Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level," it said.  

During their first stint in power, the Taliban banned most forms of entertainment -- including many sports -- and stadiums doubled as public execution venues.

The Australian Cricketers' Association said it "unequivocally" supported Cricket Australia's position.

"And while we would love to see players such as Rashid Khan play against Australia, hosting this Test match cannot be considered if that same opportunity to play the game is denied to Roya Samim and her teammates."

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