Cricket Australia on Thursday said it will not host Afghanistan for a one-off Test at Hobart later this year, if the new Taliban regime fails to support women's cricket.
The CA in its statement said: "Driving the growth of women's cricket globally is incredibly important to Cricket Australia. Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level."
The board affirmed its stance based on recent reports emerging from Afghanistan that the Taliban has barred women in the country from sport.
"If recent media reports that women's cricket will not be supported in Afghanistan are substantiated, Cricket Australia would have no alternative but to not host Afghanistan for the proposed Test Match due to played in Hobart," the CA added in its statement.
READ:
ALSO READ:
ALSO READ | Taliban bans women's sport in Afghanistan
The Taliban named a new government on Tuesday, three weeks after sweeping to power when the Western-backed government collapsed in the wake of the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces.
When the Taliban last ruled Afghanistan two decades ago, girls were not allowed to attend school and women were banned from work and education.
The Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) also endorsed CA's stance.
"What is happening now in Afghanistan is a human rights issue that transcends the game of cricket.
"And while we would love to see players such as Rashid Khan play against Australia, hosting this Test Match cannot be considered if that same opportunity to play the game is denied to Roya Samim and her team-mates," it said.
Sports Minister Richard Colbeck has called for the International Cricket Council's intervention on the matter.
"Excluding women from sport at any level is unacceptable," Colbeck said in a statement.
"We urge international sport authorities, including the International Cricket Council, to take a stand against this appalling ruling."
With inputs from Agencies
Comments
SHARE