Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley has expressed his support for Australia’s men’s players to share their views on Afghanistan and whether they should continue to face the Taliban-controlled nation in ICC tournaments. The Afghanistan women’s cricket team is set to play an exhibition match against a Cricket Without Borders XI at Junction Oval in Melbourne, aiming to raise awareness about the struggles of Afghan women under Taliban rule.
This match precedes the Australia men’s team’s scheduled encounter with Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy. Cricket Australia has adhered to ICC tournament commitments but refrains from bilateral series with Afghanistan. The presence of Afghanistan in ICC competitions has drawn international criticism, with 160 English MPs recently urging England to boycott their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan.
Australia’s assistant foreign affairs minister reiterated the government’s commitment to advocating for the rights of Afghan women and girls. The Afghanistan women’s XI, consisting of players who fled the country after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, views the upcoming match as a symbol of resilience and hope.
Firoza Amiri, representing the team, highlighted the importance of the event for Afghan women denied basic rights. The match marks a significant milestone for the players, many of whom have rebuilt their lives in Australia. Team captain Nahida Sapan expressed optimism, believing the fixture could pave the way for broader opportunities in education and sports for Afghan women.
Hockley emphasized Cricket Australia’s ongoing efforts to shine a light on the issue, referencing the organization’s consistent stance on human rights. He pointed to past decisions, such as postponing men’s games against Afghanistan, as evidence of their commitment. Hockley also noted the potential for the ICC to allocate funding to support Afghanistan’s women’s programs until they can rejoin the international cricket stage.
Australia’s obligation to fulfill ICC tournament fixtures was reaffirmed, but Hockley stressed the importance of taking actionable steps within their control. The upcoming match is seen as a “first step” toward the reintegration of Afghanistan women’s cricket into the international arena. He expressed hope that the event would spark broader discussions, eventually leading to more frequent fixtures and greater opportunities for Afghan women in cricket.
As Hockley prepares to step down from his role in March, he reflected on Cricket Australia’s approach to addressing the challenges in Afghanistan. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation but emphasized the importance of leveraging cricket’s platform to make a positive impact.
