Afghanistan slams Cricket Australia’s ‘pathetic decision’ of withdrawing ODI series

Afghanistan players in 2019 WC (Source: Twitter)

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has criticised Cricket Australia’s (CA) decision of withdrawing from their upcoming ODI series. Earlier, the CA had released a statement confirming that they will not be moving ahead with their ODI series against Afghanistan in March in the UAE.

The Australian board explained that they made the decision to counter Taliban’s recently-imposed restrictions on women and girl’s education and employment in Afghanistan.

Cricket Australia

@CricketAus

Cricket Australia is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country.

Jan 12, 2023, 10:29 AM

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Rashid Khan, Gurbaz leads Afghanistan’s response to Cricket Australia

The ACB has described Cricket Australia’s move to backout from their March bilateral series as “pathetic”. They also added that they will soon be writing to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the issue.

"The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has been working to promote cricket in schools and universities, and it has also been using the sport to promote healthy lifestyles and discourage young people from getting involved in drugs and crime. Cricket has been an important tool for promoting peace, unity, and development in Afghanistan, and it will continue to be a source of inspiration and hope for the people of the country in the years to come."

The Afghanistan board is of the opinion that Australia’s decision was “unfair and unexpected” and they are totally disappointed over the cancellation of the series.

Afghanistan Cricket Board

@ACBofficials

CA's statement to withdraw Afghanistan ODIs is unfair and unexpected ACB is extremely disappointed by the pathetic decision of @CricketAus to withdraw from Afghanistan ODI series in March and will officially write to the @ICC over the issue. More: https://t.co/ODjzX0Guf1

Jan 12, 2023, 5:26 PM

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Apart from ACB’s response, several Afghanistan cricketers including Rashid Khan also expressed their frustrations over Australia’s remarks on social media. Khan himself urged CA to keep cricket away from politics, adding that the sport is the only hope left for his country.

Following the all-rounder’s remarks, his teammates Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and several others also joined the campaign of tirade against CA. Star pacer Naveen-ul-Haq even claimed that he will not be participating in future Big Bash matches if the Australian board does not stop with their “childish decisions”.

Rashid Khan

@rashidkhan_19

Cricket! The only hope for the country. Keep politics out of it. @CricketAus @BBL @ACBofficials ♥️ 🇦🇫 ♥️

Jan 12, 2023, 6:13 PM

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Mohammad Nabi

@MohammadNabi007

@CricketAus @ICC @ACBofficials

Jan 12, 2023, 6:52 PM

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Rahmat Shah

@RahmatShah_08

Strongly condemn the withdrawal by @cricketcomau from the series. Especially when cricket is one of few things to cherish for Afghan people.While Afghan cricketers playing key role in different leagues around the world as a vital part of cricketing family….

Naveen ul haq Murid

@imnaveenulhaq

time to say won’t be participating in big bash after this until they stop these childish decisions that’s how they went about the one off test now ODI when a country is going through so much in place off being supportive you want to take the only reason of happiness from them #CA

Notably, it is the second instance in two years where the CA have cancelled a bilateral series due to Taliban government policies. Back in November 2021, they had indefinitely postponed their one-off Test match against Afghanistan which was set to be played in Hobart.

Also Read: Cricket Australia pull out of ODI series against Afghanistan