Afghanistan Cricket Board Calls for Cricket Without Politics as Cricket Australia Postpones Series
The cricketing fraternity in Afghanistan has been left disappointed following the official announcement from Cricket Australia (CA) to postpone the scheduled three-match T20 International series at home against the Afghanistan men’s team. This decision, slated for August, comes in the wake of concerns raised over the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan following the change of regime.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) did not mince words in its response, issuing a strongly-worded statement that revealed its discontent with the move from Cricket Australia. The core of the argument laid out by the ACB points towards a desire for “neutral and politics-free” cricket, implying that the decision taken by CA might be more rooted in political considerations rather than sporting ones.
Afghanistan Cricket Board, press releaseThe Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses disappointment over Cricket Australia’s decision to postpone yet another bilateral series against Afghanistan and reiterates its stance on neutral and politics-free cricket across the globe. ACB advocates for keeping cricket distinct from political influence, considering the game’s significance in Afghanistan and its connection to the happiness and joy of the Afghan nation.
The Afghan board made a compelling plea to their Australian counterparts, urging them to stand resilient against what they believe to be pressures from the Australian government. This isn’t the first instance where Cricket Australia has taken a tough stance against the situation in Afghanistan; they had previously called off a one-off Test and delayed a three-match ODI series against the nation.
Afghanistan Cricket Board, press releaseACB expresses disappointment over CA’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan for the third time. This recent withdrawal follows Cricket Australia’s previous actions, including withdrawing from a one-off Test match against Afghanistan in 2021 and refusing to play Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series in March 2023 due to government influence. ACB urges Cricket Australia to respect and understand its position as a Full Member nation and look for alternative solutions rather than succumbing to external pressures and/or political influences.
Emphasizing the importance of cricket diplomacy, ACB called for collaboration to tackle issues, rather than succumbing to unilateral actions that disrupt the cricketing bonds between nations. The Afghanistan board was striking in its reminder that the now-postponed series was part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2023-2027 calendar, which was approved by the ICC with the CA delegation in attendance. The FTP serves as a crucial framework for international cricket schedules and any cancellations can cause significant disruptions.
In their communication, ACB reflected on the collective efforts and insisted that there should be alternative solutions explored rather than opting for postponements influenced by external and political pressures. The Afghan board remains devoted to engaging transparently with the ICC, Cricket Australia, and other full member countries in ensuring that the spirit of cricket—free from political influence—is upheld and cherished by all parties involved.
This conflict of interest between political principles and the spirit of sport presents a complex challenge for the international cricket community, highlighting the intricacies where sports and real-world issues collide. From Afghanistan’s perspective, the overarching theme of their message is clear: cricket should bridge divides, not deepen them. With the hope for reconciliation, the ACB stands ready at the table of negotiation to find a way forward that protects the interests of the game and its global community.
19:30 IST
