Will Not Host Afghanistan Men's Cricket If Women's Cricket Is Not Supported In Afghanistan: Cricket Australia

Australia: On Thursday, Cricket Australia announced that they would not host Afghanistan's Men's Cricket team and also cancel the scheduled test match to be played between the two countries if the Taliban-ruled Afghan government does not support women's cricket. 

This announcement was made after the Taliban banned sports for women in Afghanistan under their new regime.

The deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq, said,  "I don't think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play cricket."

He added, "In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this. It is the media era, and there will be photos and videos, and then people watch it. Islam and the Islamic Emirate do not allow women to play cricket or play the kind of sports where they get exposed."

This comment has put the one-off test match that was scheduled to be held in November at Hobart between the men's cricket team of the two countries under threat.

On Thursday, Cricket Australia condemned the Taliban's statement and said, "Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level."

"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 be played in Hobart," he further added.

Cricket Australia's position was "unequivocally" supported by the Australian Cricketers' Association.

In a statement made on Twitter, the Australian Cricketer's Association wrote, "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 teammates."

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