Cricket Australia (CA) is under significant political pressure to scrap the one-off Test against Afghanistan in light of the Taliban declaring its ban on women’s sport.
The first-ever Test between the two nations is slated to begin on November 27 in Hobart, providing Tim Paine’s team a key Ashes tune-up.
But there is growing expectation the fixture, which was originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be cancelled.
CA chief executive Nick Hockley has indicated his organisation will take its lead from the federal government and International Cricket Council (ICC), which holds the power to revoke Afghanistan’s member status.
Sports Minister Richard Colbeck and federal MP Andrew Hastie, a former SAS troop commander who fought in Afghanistan, are among several politicians to express reservations about staging a Test they feel would be akin to recognition of the Taliban government.
“I do not want that cricket match to go ahead. We lost good soldiers in Afghanistan,” Hastie told Sky News.
CA has been contacted for comment.
Hockley, who is also in talks with Tasmania’s state government after premier Peter Gutwein flagged his own concerns on Monday, termed it an “extremely challenging and complex situation” on Wednesday.
The ICC, which could scupper the match if it takes a hardline stance regarding Afghanistan’s membership, is concerned about reports the Taliban will ban women from playing cricket.
The global governing body says the matter will be discussed at its next board meeting.
That meeting is set for November, so if the ICC does not expedite a discussion and vote then Afghanistan will start their Twenty20 World Cup campaign on October 25.
The ICC could also look at cutting funding or allowing Afghanistan to continue playing under a soft ban, in which case the Test would proceed unless CA or Australia’s government intervene.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) says it is also in talks regarding a T20 tri-series involving Australia and West Indies in early October that would serve as match practice for the World Cup.
ICC rules dictate that full members must have a national women’s team.
Afghanistan are yet to play a women’s international game but there had been positive steps prior to the Taliban takeover, with the ACB handing out 25 contracts to female players in 2020.
Those players are believed to now be in hiding in Kabul, fearful about the Taliban’s return to power.
Ahmadullah Wasiq, deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission, told SBS on Wednesday that women will be banned from playing sport.
“In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this,” Wasiq said.
AAP
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