Cricket Australia Delays T20I Series with Afghanistan Over Women’s Rights Concerns
MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the postponement of a scheduled three-match T20I series with Afghanistan, citing concerns over the “marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls” in the country. The decision comes after consultation with the Australian government.
Originally slated for August as part of the men’s Future Tours Program, the series was set to take place at a neutral venue. This move echoes CA’s previous postponement of a Test match in 2021 and a proposed ODI series in March 2023 due to similar human rights issues.
Notably, the decision in 2023 prompted Rashid Khan to threaten withdrawal from the Big Bash League (BBL), though he ultimately participated in the BBL draft before missing the tournament due to injury.
In a statement released on Tuesday, CA highlighted its consultation with the Australian government regarding the rights situation in Afghanistan and noted a concerning decline since the postponement of the 2023 series.
