The Australian men’s cricket team has withdrawn from another series against Afghanistan on ‘human rights grounds’
Cricket Australia has confirmed the men’s team will not play Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates later this year on ‘humanitarian grounds’, writes DANIEL CHERNY.
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Cricket Australia has pulled the pin on another series against Afghanistan.
The Aussie men were due to play Afghanistan in three Twenty20 matches in August, but just as was the case for bilateral commitments in 2021 and 2023, CA has cited human rights grounds for a decision to postpone the series, which would have been held in the UAE.
CA has continued to play Afghanistan at global events, distinguishing between ICC tournaments and stand-alone bilateral cricket.
“Following consultation with the Australian Government, CA previously postponed the ODI series against Afghanistan scheduled for March 2023 after a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls in Afghanistan, stating we would: ‘Continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country,’” CA said on Tuesday.
“Over the past twelve months CA has continued to consult with the Australian Government on the situation in Afghanistan. The government’s advice is that conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan are getting worse. For this reason, we have maintained our previous position and will postpone the bilateral series against Afghanistan.
“CA continues its strong commitment to supporting participation by women and girls in cricket around the world and will continue to actively engage the International Cricket Council and work closely with the Afghanistan Cricket Board to determine what actions could be taken to support the resumption of bilateral matches in the future.
“We again thank the Australian Government for its support.”
As revealed by this masthead, a series against Ireland later in the year is also set to be postponed owing to financial constraints within Irish cricket.
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Originally published as The Australian men’s cricket team has withdrawn from another series against Afghanistan on ‘human rights grounds’
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