Afghanistan’s chief selector, Asadullah Khan, has strongly criticised Cricket Australia (CA) for refusing to engage in bilateral series with his country, accusing them of politicising the sport and damaging the spirit of the game.
Australia has repeatedly cancelled matches against Afghanistan over the Taliban government’s ongoing restrictions on women’s rights, including banning girls and women from playing sports. But Khan argues that this stance unfairly penalises Afghanistan’s men’s team and undermines their cricketing achievements.
“Not a good sign for the gentleman’s game”
Speaking to PTI, Asadullah Khan expressed frustration over how political considerations are increasingly dictating sporting decisions.
“Our women’s cricket team hasn’t played any matches in recent years, and this will take time to change. But Cricket Australia and other Boards linking cricket with politics. I don’t think that’s a good sign for the gentleman’s game. We didn’t get ICC full-member status as a charity; we earned it through our performance and credibility,” Khan told PTI.
CA first pulled out of a one-off Test against Afghanistan in 2021 and has since cancelled two more scheduled series — a three-match ODI series in March 2023 and a T20I series slated for August 2024 — citing the deteriorating situation for women in Afghanistan.
“It’s like bringing a great team down”
Despite the challenges, Afghanistan has continued its rise on the international stage, reaching the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and even defeating Australia in the group stage — a landmark moment in the country’s cricketing history.
Khan believes that punishing Afghanistan’s men’s team does little to advance the cause of women and only isolates a high-performing cricket nation.
“Our spin attack is the best in the world, and our winning percentage is impressive. If, despite all this, some countries are politicising our cricket, it’s like bringing a great team down. The way Australia and other countries are treating Afghanistan cricket — there are cultural factors involved, and the nation hasn’t yet accepted some changes. But refusing to play with us because of that will only hurt men’s cricket too,” he added.
Backed by India, eyeing World Cup glory
While some boards have opted for a boycott, Khan acknowledged the support from the BCCI and India, who have consistently provided Afghanistan with a platform to play and grow — both by hosting their home matches and enabling players to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“We are thankful to all teams that continue to play with us, especially India. The BCCI has played a major role, not just by providing us grounds but also through the IPL, where eight of our players compete in the world’s best league. I would credit Rashid Khan and the Afghanistan Cricket Board for building a strong unit with the few matches we’ve had. Our opening pair is settled, the middle order is improving, and our spin and pace attacks are among the best in the world. We genuinely believe we can win the (T20) World Cup,” he asserted.
Afghanistan will look to build on their T20 World Cup 2024 success in the upcoming 2026 edition. With a well-balanced squad and growing international confidence, they’re determined to prove they belong among the world’s elite — regardless of politics.
ICC support for refugee women’s team
Amid the controversy, the ICC has taken steps to support displaced Afghan women cricketers. A group of refugee players, now living in exile, attended the opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in Guwahati and will receive further engagement opportunities at upcoming ICC events. It’s part of the governing body’s broader efforts to integrate Afghan women into the global cricketing community.
While the road to full gender inclusion remains fraught, Afghanistan’s men’s team continues to fight for its place in the sport — even as global politics threaten to limit their opportunities on the pitch.
