CA likely to cancel one-off Test against Afghanistan if Taliban ban women's cricket

Cricket Australia has said that it will not host Afghanistan for the one-off Test that was scheduled to take place later this year if the women’s cricket doesn’t get the support from Taliban. The two sides were scheduled to play a Test match in Hobart from November 27. 

"Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level," the statement from CA said.

"If recent media reports that women's cricket will not be supported in Afghanistan are substantiated, Cricket Australia would have no alternative but to not host Afghanistan for the proposed Test Match due to be played in Hobart,” it added. 

Deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq had earlier said that the women shouldn’t be allowed to play cricket as there can be a situation where their face and body will not be covered. 

"I don't think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play cricket. In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this,” Ahmadullah Wasiq had said while talking to SBS News. 

According to the norms, all the full members of the ICC are required to field a women’s team as well apart from a men’s side.