Strong reactions have come from Afghanistan players and the country’s cricket board following Cricket Australia’s decision to abandon the One-Day International (ODI) series, which was slated to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March.
CA cited recent restrictions on women’s rights to education and participation in sports in Afghanistan by the Taliban government for withdrawing from the three-match ODI leg. Not to mention, Afghanistan is the only ICC full-member nation without a women’s team and a side at the upcoming inaugural Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, starting on Saturday.
One of Afghanistan’s biggest cricket icon Rashid Khan expressed his disappointment over the whole turn of events and threatened to pull out of Big Bash League (BBL). Notably, Rashid is part of Adelaide Strikers in BBL and represented them in eight matches this season before leaving to play for MI Cape Town in the SA20 2023.
“I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March. I take great pride in representing my country, and we have made great progress on the world stage.This decision from CA sets us back in that journey. If playing vs Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia, then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will be strongly considering my future in that competition,” said Rashid in a statement on Twitter.
Cricket! The only hope for the country.
Keep politics out of it. @CricketAus @BBL @ACBofficials ♥️ 🇦🇫 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ZPpvOBetPJ— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) January 12, 2023
Another Afghanistan legend Mohammad Nabi echoed Rashid’s views and condemned Australia’s stance. He urged the Aussies, ICC and rest of the world to support Afghanistan in the challenging moments.
“I strongly condemned the decision of @CricketAus by pulling of the series and playing with us, through Cricket, we have shown the world if right opportunity & Platform given to Afghans we are no less then the rest of the world. Let’s separate sports & politics. Afghan Cricketers are the role models of the modern era and proud ambassadors of the Cricketing fraternity. I urge CA, ICC and the rest of the world to be a support in these challenging moments with Afghanistan. Let’s aim to control the controlables and manage the distraction,” wrote Nabi in his statement.
@CricketAus @ICC @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/0rETaPdxc0
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) January 12, 2023
Here is how other Afghanistan cricketers reacted:
@CricketAus 💔 pic.twitter.com/7Yv1Q6lK9l
— Gulbadin Naib (@GbNaib) January 12, 2023
Fans and people of Afghanistan who have suffered immensely due to conflict for the past 42 years don’t want politics brought into sports. Cricket is the most loved sport in the country and one of the main sources of happiness.
— Hashmat Shahidi (@Hashmat_50) January 12, 2023
I strongly condemn CA’s decision to pull out from the 3 match series against Afghaniatan. Afghanistan needs your help in this critical and challenging time. Cricket is the only happiness of Afghans. Please revers your decision #StopPoliticsinCricket pic.twitter.com/dfJCo4Eblf
— Qais Ahmad (@imqaisahmadd) January 12, 2023
This is just not acceptable by any means as cricket is the only way of happiness for millions of my countrymen.
— Ibrahim Zadran (@IZadran18) January 12, 2023
time to say won’t be participating in big bash after this until they stop these childish decisions that’s how they went about the one off test now ODI when a country is going through so much in place off being supportive you want to take the only reason of happiness from them #CA
— Naveen ul haq Murid (@imnaveenulhaq) January 12, 2023
What a pathetic decision by @cricketcomau They should know that cricket is not a playground for politics. Please don’t mix politics with cricket. Cricket is symbol of happiness that brings people and nations together. #CricketAustralia @ACBofficials #StopPoliticsinCricket
— Hamid Hassan (@hamidhassanHH) January 12, 2023
Strongly condemn the withdrawal by @cricketcomau from the series. Especially when cricket is one of few things to cherish for Afghan people.While Afghan cricketers playing key role in different leagues around the world as a vital part of cricketing family….
— Rahmat Shah (@RahmatShah_08) January 12, 2023
iI was not expecting a country like Australia Really shocked & suprised by the decision of @CricketAus Sports & politics are 2 different things & sports definitely should not be suffered due to politics.but at the end of the day politics win @ACBofficials @MirwaisAshraf16
— Najib Zadran (@iamnajibzadran) January 12, 2023
Strongly condemn the Australian Cricket board decision. Australian cricket board should review its decision. @CricketAus @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/qj1oJk5pFk
— 𝐃𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐚𝐭 𝐙𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐧 (@DawlatZadranDK) January 12, 2023
Australia's Withdrawal from Sports Series Highlights Irony of Sports and Politics .@ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/QpPvaQARjj
— MS Shahzad (@MShahzad077) January 12, 2023
What a pathetic decision by @cricketcomau They should know that cricket is not a playground for politics. Please don’t mix politics with cricket. Cricket is symbol of happiness that brings people and nations together. #CricketAustralia @ACBofficials
— Sharafuddin Ashraf (@sharafashraf82) January 12, 2023
Dear Cricket Australia!
Cricket is a sport and it always separate from politics, that's the 2nd time that canceling the matches with ACB, its unfair that a cricket playing nation like Australia doing injustice like that.
Our players are the beauty of your cricket #BBL.— Aftab Alam 55 (@aftabalam55786) January 12, 2023
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