Cricket Australia (CA) has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s freedom. The series, which was set to take place in March as part of the ICC Super League in the UAE, was seen as a way for both teams to earn points towards World Cup qualification. However, due to the stance of the Taliban on women’s rights, CA has decided to withdraw from the series.
Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq expressed his disappointment with CA’s decision and stated that he will no longer participate in the Big Bash League until they stop these “childish” decisions. He took to Twitter to express his views, calling for support for a country that is going through a lot.
CA made this decision after consulting with relevant stakeholders, including the Australian government. The organization stated in a statement that, “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.”
As a result of this decision, Australia will also forfeit 30 competition points for the series, which go towards World Cup qualification, but this is not considered to have a major impact as they have already secured a spot for the ODI World Cup in India later this year.
Cricket Australia’s decision to withdraw from the ODI series against Afghanistan serves as a strong statement on the organization’s commitment to promoting women’s rights and equality in the sport. The Taliban’s restrictions on women’s freedom and rights are not in line with CA’s values and the organization has made it clear that it will not participate in any events that do not align with these values.
This decision also highlights the importance of sports organizations using their platform and influence to promote social issues and bring attention to human rights concerns. By taking a stand on this issue, CA is not only prioritizing the rights of women but also setting an example for other sports organizations to follow.
However, it’s worth noting that this decision comes with a cost. Afghanistan cricket team will lose out on the opportunity to play against a strong team, and also the points which are crucial for their world cup qualification. Also, Naveen-ul-Haq’s decision to opt out of the Big Bash league will affect the league as well as the team.
In conclusion, Cricket Australia’s decision to withdraw from the ODI series against Afghanistan serves as a powerful statement on the organization’s commitment to promoting women’s rights and equality in the sport. Although the decision comes with a cost but it’s important for sports organizations to use their platform and influence to promote social issues and bring attention to human rights concerns.
