Australia pull out of Afghanistan fixtures over Taliban's treatment of women and girls

Cricket Australia has support from the Australian government over their choice not to play the series against Afghanistan. Australia will forfeit the 30 World Cup Super League points available, which will all be awarded to their opponents

Sam Morshead | 12/01/2023 at 08:41

Australia's men will no longer face Afghanistan in an ODI series in March after withdrawing from the trip in protest over the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights.

The Australians were due to face Afghanistan in three matches in the UAE, but a statement from Cricket Australia confirmed their decision to cancel.

Since the Taliban regained control of the country 2021, women and girls in the country have steadily seen their freedoms curtailed. They are not allowed to participate in sports activites, and women have recently been barred from attending university.

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^{Cricket Australia have pulled out of an ODI series against Afghanistan [Getty Images]}

A CA statement read: "CA 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.

Afghanistan remains a full ICC member despite the global governing body's consitution stating that full members must have a fully functioning women's structure to qualify for the status. Many of the Afghan women's team fled the country upon the Taliban's ascent to power.

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^{Women and girls in Afghanistan face increasing limitations on their freedom; picture from 2013 [Getty Images]}

They are the only full member not to have a women's team at this month's Under-19 T20 World Cup in South Africa.

"Our board has been monitoring progress since the change of regime," ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice was quoted as saying in the Australian media.

"It is a concern that progress is not being made in Afghanistan and it's something our board will consider at its next meeting in March. As far as we are aware, there isn't activity at the moment."