Cricket News

Former England captain comes out in support of Rashid Khan over Australia’s refusal to play ODI series against Afghanistan

A three-match ODI series was supposed to take place in Afghanistan between Australia and Afghanistan at the UAE in March before their India tour but it appears that the games will no longer take place as Cricket Australia (CA) has made its stance clear in retaliation to the Taliban’s ban on Women’s human rights. When the decision was taken, the cricketing fraternity criticized the fallout including Afghan cricketers Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul- Haq.

Now the Afghan duo is contemplating whether to pull out of the Big Bash League in future. Michael Vaughan has also talked about the matter and has lashed out at Cricket Australia for its double standards on the matter. He took to Twitter and wrote, “Will the Australians refuse to play Afghanistan in the World Cup this year?”

Rashid is always welcome at the BBL – Nick Hockley

He sparked a debate by saying why the Australian’s played Afghanistan without any question then but when it came to a bilateral series there were different parameters set. He also gave allegiance to Rashid “I am with you on this Rashid,”. He had written on Twitter. Australia were determined to stick to its guns on its pull-out of the series against Afghanistan. “Basic human rights is not politics,” Nick Hockley the CA chief said in a statement sent to AFP after the Afghanistan Board had slammed the decision as “pathetic”. The CA chief said that CA had been in touch with the Australian government before deciding to call off the ODI games.

Nick Hockley also replied to Rashid’s comments on withdrawing from the BBL. Rashid had condemned the decision in future and is giving thought of not playing the BBL going forward. “We acknowledge and applaud Rashid Khan’s and other Afghanistan cricketers’ comments at the time condemning the Taliban’s decision to ban women from universities. Rashid will always be welcome in the BBL,” Hockley added as quoted by News 18.

Australia last played Afghanistan at home in the 20-20 World Cup 2022, where Australia won the game at Adelaide by four runs in a close contest between the two sides. Australia won the match, but they were out of the race for qualification in the World event and they crashed out as hosts.