Afghanistan Cricket Board’s chief selector and former cricketer Asadullah Khan has strongly criticised Cricket Australia for repeatedly refusing to play a bilateral series against Afghanistan.
He said that Australia’s stance goes against the spirit of the game and unfairly targets the Afghan men’s team, which has earned its place in elite cricket through hard work and merit.
“Cricket Australia’s refusal to play bilateral series is against the spirit of the game. Afghanistan’s team is being targeted in an unfair way. The current Afghan side has earned its place in elite cricket with strong performances,” Asadullah remarked told an Indian media outlet.
He added that the Afghanistan women’s team has not been able to play in recent years due to circumstances in the country, and “change takes time.”
He said, “Afghanistan achieved success in world cricket on merit. Our team did not get success because of favoritism or charity. Cricket Australia and other boards are linking cricket with politics, and I believe this is not good for the gentleman’s game.”
Cricket Australia has maintained its position since the Taliban returned to power in September 2021.
After the takeover, the Taliban placed restrictions on women’s sports, including cricket, among a host of measures that have reduced civil and human rights for women. Australia responded by suspending all bilateral commitments with Afghanistan.
Cricket Australia’s first major move came in November 2021 when it cancelled a historic one-off Test match in Hobart, which would have been Afghanistan’s first Test against Australia.
In January 2023, Australia also withdrew from a three-match ODI series scheduled in the UAE, citing concerns over women’s rights under Taliban rule.
In an official statement at the time, Cricket Australia said it supports the participation of women in all forms of cricket and cannot proceed with fixtures when those values are not upheld.
The ICC has also faced pressure to take a stronger stance, though Afghanistan retains its full-member status because the ICC constitution does not allow suspension of a board due to political circumstances beyond its control.
Despite these complications, the Afghanistan men’s team has continued to rise. The side reached the Super 12 stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup and made headlines at the 2023 ODI World Cup after defeating England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Under captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and with stars like Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the team has become one of the most competitive emerging sides in international cricket.
Asadullah Khan believes that punishing the men’s team for issues beyond their control is unjust. He said the players only want to play cricket and compete at the highest level.