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Australia Postpone T20I Series Against Afghanistan Due To 'Human Rights Violation'

Australia will not adhere to another FTP commitment to play Afghanistan [X.com]Australia will not adhere to another FTP commitment to play Afghanistan [X.com]

Sticking to their debatable policy decision to skip bilateral ties with Afghanistan, Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday (March 19) confirmed the men's Australian team will not be adhering to its FTP commitment to face the spirited Afghans in a T20I series later this year. 

The 2021 T20 World Cup champions were due to travel to UAE in August to play Afghanistan in a three-match series as per the 2024-27 Future Tours Programme. 

However, CA has confirmed the tour has been postponed for an indefinite period due to the moral high ground the board maintains against Afghanistan's inability to field a women's team and the human rights violation seen in the country.

Australia have been ditching bilateral assignments scheduled against Afghanistan ever since political and religious extremists Taliban's return to power in the country, with the war-torn nation suffering a humanitarian crisis from that point onwards, including a ban on all women's rights to education and sports activities. 


Australia Postpone Afghanistan Series 

Notably, the policy decision to not play Afghanistan has been limited to bilateral assignments and Australia have played the Asian dark-horses in major ICC tournaments, including the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup and the 2023 World Cup. 

Despite the pause on ties, Afghanistan players have been prominent inclusions in respective Big Bash League (BBL) teams at the height of the Australian summer. 

CA insisted the decision is not convenient and finance-driven and is based on discussions with the Australian government. The board also indicated it will be closely working with ICC and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to discuss the future course of action. 

"Following consultation with the Australian government on treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan, the T20I men's series between the two countries will not take place as currently scheduled in August," CA said in a media release. 


"CA will continue its commitment to the participation of women and girls cricket around the world and will work closely with the ICC and the Afghanistan Cricket Board to resume bilateral matches in the future."

According to the FTP, Afghanistan are due to tour Australia for a Test and 3 ODIs in 2026. In the current circumstances, however, it is highly likely that the series will not be played.