Due to the “concerning” situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Cricket Australia has decided not to participate in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates in March.

The India-Australia series was supposed to end before the tour started.

Cricket Australia explained in a statement that their call not to participate in a bilateral series between the two men’s teams is based on the Taliban regime’s restrictions on women and girls seeking education and employment, including the Afghanistan national women’s team.

“CA 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,”

the statement said.

In September 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan and banned female sports participation. Afghanistan is the only nation with Test playing status without an active women’s team at this time.

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. pic.twitter.com/cgQ2p21X2Q

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 12, 2023

Afghanistan’s government has reiterated its commitment to fully respect and comply with the ICC constitution, including agreeing “in principle” to support the development of women’s cricket, as reported by the ICC’s Afghanistan Working Group (AWG) to the world governing body of cricket in November 2022.

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“The meeting was positive and respectful, and the [Afghanistan] government representative was clear in his support for the ICC constitution including in principle for women’s cricket in Afghanistan. There are obviously challenges for it to resume but we will continue to work with the ACB to take this forward. The Working Group will closely monitor the commitment undertaken by the Afghanistan government and will continue to report back to the ICC Board.”

Imran Khwaja, the AWG chair, had said.