Cricket Australia’s decision to pull out from the ODI series against Afghanistan following restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights imposed by the Taliban is getting some serious criticism.
Afghanistan’s star cricketer Rashid Khan has now threatened to pull out of Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) after Cricket Australia decided to withdraw from the ODI series against Afghanistan.
Strongly considering my future in BBL, writes Rashid Khan
Cricket Australia pulled out from the ODI series against Afghanistan scheduled in March. They strongly opposed the recent announcement by the Taliban of further restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment opportunities and their ability to access parks and gyms. Afghanistan cricketers found it quite disappointing and Rashid Khan showed his dismay as he took to Twitter on January 12.
“Cricket! The only hope for the country. Keep politics out of it. @CricketAus @BBL @ACBofficials, “ Rashid Khan tweeted. Along with the tweet, the premier Afghanistan spinner shared a heartwarming note as well
“I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March. I take great pride in representing my country and we have made great progress on the world stage. This decision from CA sets us back in that journey. If playing vs Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will be strongly considering my future in that competition,” wrote Rashid.
Cricket! The only hope for the country.
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) January 12, 2023
Keep politics out of it. @CricketAus @BBL @ACBofficials ♥️ 🇦🇫 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ZPpvOBetPJ
“Cricket Australia is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country,” Cricket Australia tweeted earlier as they withdrew from the ODI which was set to be played in the month of March.
Rashid Khan plays for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League and is one of the stars of Australia’s major T20 league. He has recently taken over the post of Afghanistan’s T20I captain. It can lead to a serious setback to the Big Bash league if Rashid actually pulls out of the tournament opposing Cricket Australia’s decision.
