Cricket Australia postpone Afghanistan T20I series over women's rights

It is the third time have withdrawn from a bilateral series against Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021

Australia have postponed their men's T20I series against Afghanistan in August due the continued deterioration in human rights for women and girls under the Taliban.

The sides were due to meet in a three-match series in August, with the matches taking place in the UAE.

It is the third time Australia have withdrawn from a bilateral series against Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, having pulled out of a one-off Test match in September 2021 and a three-match men’s ODI series in March 2023.

During this period, Australia have continued to compete against Afghanistan in World Cup fixtures, beating them by four runs in Adelaide during the 2022 Men's T20 World Cup and again by three wickets during the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup, which Pat Cummins' side went on to win.

^{The two sides have continued to play each other in major tournaments [Sarah Reed/Getty Images]}

Cricket Australia's stance regarding major tournaments has attracted criticism, with Afghanistan quick Naveen-ul-Haq among the dissenting voices, but in a previous statement, the board said, "there is a distinction between playing bilateral series against Afghanistan which falls under CA control as compared to playing in a World Cup tournament which is an ICC event and subject to their regulations". 

Addressing the latest postponement, Cricket Australia said: "Following a consultation with the Australian Government, CA previously postponed the ODI series against Afghanistan scheduled for March 2023 after a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls in Afghanistan, stating we would: "Continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country".

"Over the past 12 months CA has continued to consult with the Australian government on the situation in Afghanistan. The government's advice is that conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan are getting worse.

"For this reason, we have maintained our previous position and will postpone the bilateral series against Afghanistan.

"CA continues its strong commitment to supporting participation by women and girls in cricket around the world and will continue to actively engage the International Cricket Council and work closely with the ACB to determine what actions could be taken to support the resumption of bilateral matches in the future."

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