The conflict between Cricket Australia and Afghanistan Cricket Board is still in the limelight. The skipper of Afghanistan, Rashid Khan, recently announced to pull out his name from Big Bash League after Cricket Australia announced that they would not play the upcoming ODI series in the march against Afghanistan because their government Taliban had restricted women’s and girls’ education and employment.
In reply to Rashid Khan’s tweet, the CEO of Cricket Australia, Nick Hockley, has provided a statement and said this is a very challenging situation. We took this after discussion, including the government.
“It is a very challenging and sad situation. We did not take this decision lightly and consulted widely, including with our government. We hope to play the series and have been in regular dialogue with the Afghanistan Cricket Board.” Hockley said.
Hockley remembered the announcement of the Taliban in November and December last year about girl education and women empowerment and explained that this is basic human rights, not politics.
“However, announcements by the Taliban in late November and late December signaling the deterioration of basic human rights for women in Afghanistan led to our decision to withdraw from these games. Basic human rights are not politics,” Hockley further added.
Hockley also explained his organization had no issue with Rashid or other Afghani players, who have threatened to boycott BBL.
“We acknowledge and applaud Rashid Khan’s and other Afghanistan cricketers’ comments at the time condemning the Taliban’s decision to ban women from universities. Rashid will always be welcome in the BBL.”
If Afghan player pulls out their name from the Big Bash League, it will impact the Australian T20 League (BBL) promotion because Afghani players are the big name to watch in the Big Bash League matches.
