The war-torn country's cricket board confirmed on Wednesday that the Afghan team has got approval from the Taliban to play a one-off test match against Australia in September. The game is scheduled for November 27 in Hobart.The test match will be Afghanistan's first match since the Taliban takeover earlier this month. The Australian cricket team also claimed the match was well underway."CA will continue to work with the Australian and Tasmanian governments ahead of the Afghan team's expected arrival later this year."The Taliban have said they will not interfere with the Afghan men's national cricket team, the country's biggest sporting success in recent years, although the fate of the more modest women's cricket programs remains unclear.Also Read- Taliban will never change, they treat women like zeroes: Former Afghanistan footballer Fanoos BasirAustralian broadcaster SBS reported Tuesday that the Taliban would honour Afghanistan scheduled cricket matches, although a representative of the hardline Islamist movement indicated that tours may depend on relations with other countries."In the future, we want good relations with all countries," the broadcaster quoted Ahmadullah Wasiq, the deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, as saying."When good relations are established, the Afghan players can go (to Australia) and they can come here."No country recognized the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan after they captured Kabul on August 14.Also Read- Afghan national team footballer Zaki Anwari dies in fall from US plane at Kabul airportAlso Read- Cristiano Ronaldo becomes all-time highest goalscorer in international football with brace against Ireland
The Taliban said on Wednesday (September 8) that Afghan women cannot participate in sports, including cricket because sports activities "would expose their bodies." Ahmadullah Wasiq, deputy director of the Taliban's cultural committee, told the media that sports activities were not necessary for women. Earlier this week, the Taliban decreed that only a woman teacher would teach female students but if that was not possible then ‘old men’ of good character could fill in. “I don't think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play cricket. 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,” said Ahmadullah Wasiq, the deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, in an interview. In November 2020, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) awarded contracts to 25 female cricketers. It also held a 21-day training camp for 40 female cricketers in Kabul. The International Cricket Council (ICC) requires its twelve members to have a women's national team and only full members of the ICC are permitted to play Test matches.Also Read- Afghan national team footballer Zaki Anwari dies in fall from US plane at Kabul airport When asked if no women’s cricket would mean ICC calling off the Hobart Test, Wasiq said the Taliban would not compromise. “Even for this, if we face challenges and problems, we have fought for our religion so that Islam is to be followed. We will not cross Islamic values even if it carries opposite reactions. We will not leave our Islamic rules.”Cricket Australia threaten to cancel Hobart Test against Afghanistan Meanwhile, Cricket Australia said it would not host Afghanistan for its first historic Test at Hobart if media reports about the women's team without the support of the Taliban are true. "Driving the growth of women's cricket is extremely 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," Cricket Australia statement on Thursday September 9. An update on the proposed Test match against Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/p2q5LOJMlw— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) September 9, 2021"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," the statement added.Also Read- Taliban will never change, they treat women like zeroes: Former Afghanistan footballer Fanoos Basir
After Afghanistan beat Scotland in the opening Super 12 T20 World Cup match on Monday, the winning captain, who was in jolly mood but clearly out of place, wondered whether his English would last through the press conference that was about to start. In the video that has now gone viral, a nervous Nabi is seen looking here and there as he waits for the post-match press conference to start before saying out loud, “Sabse mushkil kaam hai bhai yeh. Kitne questions hain? 5 minutes mei meri English khatam ho jayegi bhai (This is the most difficult job to do. How many questions are there? My English will be over in 5 minute).”"5 mint main meri English Khatam hojye gi"#T20WorldCup2021 pic.twitter.com/ugbmHFLeL4— Abdul Wahab (@abdulwahabdr02) October 26, 2021Afghanistan team captain Mohammad Nabi came up with a self-deprecating remark before the start of a press conference on Monday. Nabi-led Afghanistan thrashed Scotland by 130 runs at the ICC T20 World Cup. Earlier, Nabi was in tears when Afghanistan lined up for the national anthem. Questions have been raised about the future of the team since the Taliban took control of the country on August 15 this year. Scotland piled up 27 runs in the first three overs before Mujeeb scalped Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer and Calum MacLoed off successive balls. Mujeeb didn’t get his hat-trick but two balls later he trapped Richie Berrington to reduce Scotland to 28 for three after four overs.Also Read- T20 WC Ind vs Pak: Sania Mirza reacts hilariously after Team India fans call Shoaib Malik jeeja ji
Afghanistan has achieved unprecedented success in cricket, securing a spot in the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. This milestone marks a remarkable journey for a team that only attained full ICC membership in 2017. Often labeled as underdogs in major tournaments, Afghanistan impressed with standout performances against teams like New Zealand and Australia to reach this stage.While credit primarily goes to the players for their exceptional performance under pressure, India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have played a crucial, albeit hidden, role in Afghanistan's ascent. Here's how India and BCCI contributed to Afghanistan's rise in world cricket:Providing a Home Ground: The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida became Afghanistan's temporary home ground in 2015, thanks to the BCCI. This shift from Sharjah allowed Afghanistan to host international matches against Ireland in Greater Noida by 2017. Additionally, Afghanistan "hosted" a Twenty20 series against Bangladesh in Dehradun, further cementing their ties with India.Guidance from Indian Coaches: The BCCI facilitated Afghan cricket by providing top-notch facilities and coaching expertise. Former Indian players like Lalchand Rajput, Manoj Prabhakar, and Ajay Jadeja have coached the Afghanistan team, with Jadeja serving as mentor up to the ODI World Cup in 2023.Influence of the IPL: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has significantly bolstered the careers of Afghan players. Many Afghan cricketers participating in the IPL not only enhance their skills but also serve as inspirations back home. This exposure and financial support have been instrumental in their development and success.The strong collaboration between Afghanistan and India, facilitated by the BCCI, underscores the strategic support that has propelled Afghanistan to achieve remarkable feats in international cricket.Also Read: Not Gautam Gambhir, This India Legend To Be Team's Coach In Next Series: Report
