Cricket Australia has announced the postponement of a scheduled T20I cricket series with Afghanistan citing the worsening state of human rights, specifically for women and girls, under the Taliban’s rule. The two cricket teams were set to compete in a three-match T20I series; however, these games will no longer take place as planned. This marks the third instance that Australia has opted out of cricket matches with Afghanistan following the Taliban’s ascent to power in September 2021.
Hobart was originally slated to be the ground for a one-off Test match in November 2021, but that event was called off. Subsequently, the cricket teams were arranged to battle it out in a three-match ODI series in the UAE preceding the World Cup. This series also met the same fate of postponement. At that time, Cricket Australia left open the possibility of future games, contingent on an improvement in the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan.
However, in a recently released statement by the cricket board, it’s clear that the situation has not improved – in fact, it is reported to have deteriorated further. “For this reason, we have maintained our previous position and will postpone the bilateral series against Afghanistan,” the statement from Cricket Australia reads. The organization reaffirmed its strong commitment to promoting women’s and girls’ participation in cricket globally and pledged to continue discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to explore potential measures to enable the resumption of bilateral matches in the future.
Afghanistan stands out as the only full member of the ICC without a women’s team. Nevertheless, ICC CEO Geoff Alardice has conveyed the world body’s willingness to support Afghanistan’s cricket endeavours, stating: “We have spoken with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and their position is they have to operate within the laws of the country and the rules as set by the government, and really the question for the ICC Board is ‘do we support our member in their ability to promote cricket within the rules set by the government of the country?’, and the view is yes.”
The relationship between cricket and politics has often been a complex one, with the sport acting as both a bridge and a battleground. Cricket has historically been a platform for cultural exchange, fostering goodwill between nations through spirited yet friendly competition. However, it has also been used as leverage in geopolitical disputes, with countries occasionally boycotting matches to make political points about their opponent’s domestic or international policies.
Although bilateral cricketing ties with Afghanistan remain suspended, Australia continues to engage with their team in ICC-sanctioned tournaments. They faced off most recently at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai during the previous year’s World Cup. In an unforgettable encounter, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell notched up a staggering double-century, propelling Australia to a thrilling victory after a precarious start of 91/7, to successfully chase down a formidable target of 292 runs.
Nevertheless, as these international cricketing events unfold, the larger narrative of sport’s role in upholding and advocating for human rights remains of premier importance. Cricket Australia’s continued postponement of matches with Afghanistan sends a clear message prioritizing the larger social context over the on-field rivalry, hoping that their actions might positively influence the restoration of rights and freedoms, particularly for women and girls, in Afghanistan.
In the evolving landscape of international sports diplomacy, the interplay of athletics, governance, and human rights continues to shape the policies and decisions made by sports organizations and their governing bodies worldwide. For the time being, games with Afghanistan on Australian or neutral grounds remain in abeyance, echoing a resounding stance for social justice beyond the boundaries of the cricket field.
