Afghanistan was scheduled to play a three-match ODI series with Cricket Australia in March. The series in the UNITED Arab Emirates is also part of the ODI Super League. “In consultation with all concerned and even with the Australian government, we have decided that it is not possible to host the scheduled Australia-Afghanistan series at this time,” Cricket Australia said in a statement. ’

“This decision has been taken after the Taliban recently imposed restrictions on women and girls’ education, employment as well as travel to parks and gyms. ’

For the second time in two years, Australia has canceled the series against Afghanistan. In both cases, the reason was the Taliban government’s tough policy on women. Cricket Australia also canceled the last one-off Test in Hobart in 2021.

After the recapture of power in Afghanistan, the Taliban government introduced Sharia law in the country. According to the rules of Islam and the Islamic Emirate, it is not legal for women to play cricket or any sport where women are seen. So the men’s cricket team got the support of the Taliban government, but the women did not get permission.

According to the Taliban government, “In cricket, there can often be a situation where the face and body of a female cricketer will not be covered. But Islam does not mean that women should be in this situation. ’

But the ICC was quick to make a decision about Afghanistan’s women cricketers. Because the governing body of world cricket is committed to a long-term plan for the development of women’s cricket. According to ICC rules, the 12 teams that are full members must have a women’s cricket team.

Therefore, the ICC discussed the issue of Afghan women cricketers with the Taliban government. And in this discussion, they have agreed to bring women back to cricket.

According to the world cricket’s governing body, discussions were started to remove Afghanistan from the membership of the ICC due to the closure of women’s cricket. Recently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board, representatives of the Afghan government, and the ICC’s executive committee met in Doha to discuss the matter. A representative of the Afghan government said that they are ready to accept all the rules of the ICC.

Imran Khawaja, head of the ICC’s working committee, said: “We had a very positive discussion with the Taliban government. They said that women’s cricket will be started in Afghanistan in accordance with the ICC rules. There will be some problems in the beginning. But all kinds of cooperation will be done with the board. The executive committee will keep an eye on whether the government is keeping its word or not. And the ICC will be informed about it. ’