Cricket fans will have to wait a bit longer to see a T20 showdown between Australia and Afghanistan. Cricket Australia (CA) has again postponed the planned three-match series, originally scheduled for August 2024. This decision comes after consultation with the Australian Government and reflects ongoing concerns about the situation in Afghanistan, particularly the rights of women and girls.
This isn’t the first time this series has been put on hold. Back in March 2023, CA made a similar move, citing a significant decline in women’s rights within the country. They expressed hope for improvement and pledged to “continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board.”
Unfortunately, a year later, the situation hasn’t improved. According to the Australian Government’s advice, things have actually gotten worse. With this in mind, CA has decided to maintain its stance and postpone the series once more.
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Despite the setback, CA remains committed to promoting women’s cricket globally. They plan to work closely with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board to explore ways to support the return of women’s cricket in Afghanistan. This could pave the way for the resumption of bilateral matches in the future.
Cricket Australia refuses to play Afghanistan because of situation for women.
It is incumbent on ICC member nations to have both men’s and women’s cricket. pic.twitter.com/nuMCE55dQ9
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 19, 2024
Meanwhile, the Afghan cricket team continues to shine on the field. Their recent white-ball series against Ireland showcased their talent, with convincing victories in both the ODI and T20 formats. The highlight was the much-anticipated return of star all-rounder Rashid Khan, who underwent surgery and took a break from professional cricket.
Fully recovered, Khan will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming IPL 2024 season, leading the bowling attack for the Gujarat Titans. He’ll be particularly crucial in the absence of the injured pacer Mohammed Shami.
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While fans might be disappointed about the postponed series, CA’s commitment to social responsibility and their efforts to support Afghan women’s cricket are commendable. Cricket enthusiasts can still look forward to exciting performances from the Afghan team, particularly Rashid Khan’s return to the IPL scene.
