Cricket Australia has hit back at criticism over its decision to withdraw from the ODI series against Afghanistan, with chief executive Nick Hockley declaring that “fundamental human rights are not politics”.
Australia’s decision to withdraw from his three ODI series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates in March this year has drawn strong criticism, with Rashid Khan threatening him to withdraw from the BBL. rice field.
Rashid, who is one of the tournament’s most popular players, claimed to be “seriously” about his future with the BBL on the matter.
In Thursday’s announcement, CA cited the Taliban’s ban on women’s college education in Afghanistan. However, the Afghan Cricket Commission called the decision “pathetic” and would appeal to the ICC that Australia “prioritized political interests over the principles of fair play and sportsmanship”. It also said Australia would reconsider allowing players to participate in the BBL, saying it “undermines the integrity of the game and undermines the relationship between the two countries”.
But Hockley argued on Friday that CA cannot be blamed for prioritizing politics over sports.
“Obviously, it’s a very challenging and sad situation. We didn’t take this decision lightly and have consulted extensively, including with the government,” Hockley said. “We have hopes of playing the series and have been in regular dialogue with the Afghan Cricket Committee. “However, the Taliban announced in late November and late December that the decline in basic human rights of Afghan women has led to our decision to withdraw from these games. is not.”
Hockley also stressed that his organization has no problem with Rashid and other players like the Sydney Sixers’ swift Naveen Ul-Haq, who also threatened to boycott the tournament.
“We recognize and welcome the statements made at the time by Rashid Khan and other Afghan cricketers condemning the Taliban’s decision to keep women out of colleges. Rashid will always be welcome in his BBL. .”
Hockley enlisted the help of Australian cricketers Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa to make the decision. But Rashid’s anger was conspicuous. “I am very proud to represent our country. We have made great strides on the world stage,” Rashid said in a statement.
“If Australia feels uncomfortable playing in Afghanistan, I don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable being in the BBL. So I will be very careful about my future in this competition.”
In a tweet to Cricket’s Australian account, BBL and ACB officials, Rashid added:
“Crickets! The only hope of the country. Keep politics out of it.”
With players from Afghanistan retiring from his BBL, there is a big to fill as players like Mohammad Nabi, Fazal Haqfarooqi, Qais Ahmad, Mujib Ul Rahman, Izharul Haq Naveed and Naveen Ul Haq have excelled in recent years. A blank space is left. CA previously canceled a match in Afghanistan over the Taliban government’s policies towards women, a one-off test scheduled for November 2021.