SYDNEY, Australia: Australia has announced the cancellation of a T20 men’s cricket series against Afghanistan later this year, citing the deteriorating situation for women in the Taliban-ruled country.
Cricket Australia stated that it had received advice indicating that conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan were worsening, prompting the postponement of the three-match series scheduled for August at a neutral venue.
Despite the surge in cricket’s popularity in Afghanistan in recent years, particularly marked by victories over larger cricketing nations, the Taliban’s rule effectively bars women from participating in the sport.
Cricket Australia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the participation of women and girls in cricket globally, marking the third occasion since 2021 that it has declined to play against Afghanistan outside of international tournaments.
In 2021, Cricket Australia canceled a one-off Test following the Taliban’s resurgence, citing concerns over the lack of support for women’s cricket in Afghanistan. Similarly, in 2023, Australia withdrew from a three-match one-day international series in the UAE, drawing criticism from the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
The decision to cancel the upcoming series underscores the broader challenges faced by women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
