Cricket Australia postpone Test against Afghanistan

"CA looks forward to hosting Afghanistan players in the BBL this season, who are great ambassadors for the game, and to hosting both the Afghanistan women's and men's team in the not too distant future"

Australia's first Test against Afghanistan has been postponed following reports of women's cricket being banned by the Taliban.

The two sides were due to meet from November 27 but the fixture had been under threat for several weeks.

On Friday, Cricket Australia confirmed the game had been scrapped.

In a statement, the governing body said: "Following extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, Cricket Australia and the Afghanistan Cricket Board have agreed to postpone the inaugural men's Test match.

"CA is committed to support growing the game for women and men in Afghanistan and around the world, however, given the present uncertainty, CA felt it necessary to postpone the Test match until a later time when the situation is clearer.

^{Afghanistan's scheduled Test in Australia has been postponed}

"CA looks forward to hosting Afghanistan players in the BBL this season, who are great ambassadors for the game, and to hosting both the Afghanistan women's and men's team in the not too distant future."

A condition of full member status at the ICC is the presence of a full women's programme. Afghanistan were given special dispensation when they took full member status in 2017, with the expectation that such a structure would be quickly implemented.

Progress was being made, with central contracts handed out to 25 women in late 2020. However, with the rise of the Taliban, the programme has been halted and many of the players have fled the country or gone into hiding.

The Test was due to aid Australia's players with their preparations for the Ashes. A three-day internal match will now be staged at Brisbane from November 27 in an effort to give the Aussie squad gametime.

The first Ashes Test is scheduled to take place at the Gabba from December 8.