Women’s rights impact Australia’s withdrawal
AUSTRALIA’S men’s team has withdrawn from their one-day international (ODI) series against Afghanistan in March following further restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights imposed by the Taliban, Cricket Australia (CA) said yesterday.
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration last month imposed a ban on women attending universities. Girls have been banned from high school since March. They have also been excluded from parks and gyms.
Australia and Afghanistan were scheduled to play three ODIs in the United Arab Emirates but CA scrapped the series after “extensive consultation” with stakeholders, including the Australian government.
“This decision follows the recent announcement by the Taliban of further restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment opportunities and their ability to access parks and gyms,” CA said in a statement.
“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.
“We thank the Australian government for its support on this matter.”
The series formed part of the
International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Super League, where the top eight teams automatically qualify for the 2023 World Cup. Australia have already qualified for the tournament.
Teams are awarded 10 points for wins, meaning Afghanistan, who are seventh in the standings, are set to receive 30 points for Australia’s forfeiture, boosting their hopes of securing qualification for next year’s World Cup in India. ■