Taliban sanctions force Australia to axe tour

1 year ago 68

Cricket Australia has cancelled its forthcoming circuit to the United Arab Emirates to play Afghanistan owed to Taliban-imposed women's rights restrictions.

Since the Taliban took implicit Afghanistan successful 2021, women person been taxable to strict sanctions.

Among them is the prohibition of playing sports arsenic good arsenic limiting acquisition and employment opportunities.

Australia's men's squad were to play Afghanistan successful a three-match ODI bid this March.

However, Cricket Australia has decided, successful consultation with the national government, that the circuit is untenable.

"Following extended consultation with applicable stakeholders, including the Australian Government, Cricket Australia has decided that it is incapable to proceed astatine this clip with the upcoming ICC Super League three-match Men's ODI bid betwixt Australia and Afghanistan scheduled for the UAE successful March 2023," a Cricket Australia connection read.

"This determination follows the caller announcement by the Taliban of further restrictions connected women's and girls' acquisition and employment opportunities and their quality to entree parks and gyms.

"CA is committed to supporting increasing the crippled for women and men astir the world, including successful Afghanistan, and volition proceed to prosecute with the Afghanistan Cricket Board successful anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls successful the country.

"We convey the Australian Government for its enactment connected this matter."

It means Australia forfeits the series, handing Afghanistan the lumpsum 30 points connected connection for the ICC ODI Super League.

That has small interaction connected Australia, having already qualified for the 2023 ICC Men's ODI World Cup successful India.

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