Cricket Australia confirms policy of playing Afghanistan at global events in the face of mounting global opposition

Cricket Australia has doubled down on its controversial policy to play Afghanistan in global tournaments in the face of mounting opposition in England and South Africa to the Taliban’s treatment of women.

David Warner embraces Afghanistan's Rashid Khan at the World Cup in 2022 Picture: Brenton EDWARDS / AFP

The Federal Government has joined calls for world cricket’s governing body to stand up to Afghanistan but fell short of demanding Australia boycott a match against that nation next month.

Australia is poised to maintain its controversial double standard and play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next month despite not playing them in bilateral series.

Last week more than 160 British politicians signed a letter calling for England not to play its match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy in protest against the ruling Taliban’s horrendous treatment of women.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the protest by urging the International Cricket Council to “deliver on its own rules.’’

Australia last took on Afghanistan at the World Cup in the West Indies in 2024 – a loss. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie also branded Afghanistan’s Champions Trophy presence “hypocritical and immoral’’ but neither the South African nor England boards are prepared to forfeit their matches against Afghanistan in protest and the ICC has made no moves to eject Afghanistan from the tournament.

Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts told this masthead in a statement Cricket Australia could make its own decision on the Champions Trophy match but the government urged the International Cricket Council to “enforce its own rules.’’

“The ICC’s own rules make it clear that Test playing nations must support women’s cricket,’’ Watts said.

“The ICC should enforce its own rules against the Afghanistan cricket authorities.

Keir Starmer said at PMQs that the government has contacted other nations about taking action ahead of cricket games against Afghanistan. This follows my letter to the ECB, supported by the PM and 200 politicians, urging action in support of women and girls in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/CfMTZsXPcy

— Tonia Antoniazzi (@ToniaAntoniazzi) January 8, 2025

Media Statement
09 January 2025

Minister Gayton McKenzie on the Protea Cricket Games against Afghanistan

Public calls have been escalating for the Proteas cricket team to boycott their ICC Champions Trophy match against the Afghanistan men’s cricket team next month. This, on… pic.twitter.com/dhdnTaH0fn

— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) January 9, 2025

“Australia is proud to host many members of Afghanistan’s Women’s Cricket team. They’ll be playing an exhibition game in Melbourne later this month.

“Australia has been a world leader in the global condemnation of Afghanistan’s revolting repression of women.

“We are leading an unprecedented international effort to hold Afghanistan accountable under international law for violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

“Cricket Australia was the first body to take a stand and refuse to play bilateral matches against Afghanistan. They should be applauded for that. Cricket Australia will need to make their own decision about this tournament.’’

Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird says CA is ‘very proud’ of their position on Afghanistan. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Cricket Australia said on Friday its position on Afghanistan had not changed, meaning Australia, like England, would continue to play against Afghanistan at global events but not in bilateral series, as has been the case since 2021.

Australia is set to play Afghanistan in Lahore on February 28.

CA chair Mike Baird last month responded to claims from outgoing ICC chair Greg Barclay who said in the Telegraph that Australia was “virtue signalling” on the issue.

“I saw those comments this morning and I hadn’t heard those views before in any kind of forum. Obviously he’s entitled to his view, and he’s going on to new things, and … we wish him well on that,” Baird said.

“But we’re very proud of the position we’ve taken and we’re supporting the Afghan women’s cricket team and those members who are still here and we’ll be doing that in the summer, and we look forward to that.’’

Originally published as Cricket Australia confirms policy of playing Afghanistan at global events in the face of mounting global opposition