Afghan Cricket Official Condemns Australia's 'Political' Stance
In a strong critique from New Delhi, former Afghanistan cricketer and current chief selector Asadullah Khan has vehemently criticised Cricket Australia (CA) for its persistent refusal to engage in bilateral cricket series with Afghanistan. Khan labelled the Australian board's position as "unfair, political, and against the gentleman's spirit" of cricket.
Linking Sports with Politics: A Damaging Precedent
During an interview, Asadullah expressed his frustration with CA's repeated cancellations of scheduled matches, which the Australian body justifies by citing the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan. He argued that mixing sports with governance sets a dangerous precedent for the global game. "Our women's cricket team hasn't played any matches in recent years, and this will take time to change," Khan acknowledged. "But Cricket Australia and other Boards linking cricket with politics — I don't think that's a good sign for the gentleman's game."
He passionately defended Afghanistan's credentials, stating that their rise in international cricket was earned through sheer performance and not handed out as a favour. "We didn't get ICC full-member status as a charity; we earned it through performance and credibility," he asserted. Highlighting the team's strengths, Khan pointed out that their spin attack is among the world's best and their winning record is impressive. He fears that politicising cricket is an attempt to undermine a great team's achievements.
Isolation is Not the Solution, Says Khan
This is not the first time Cricket Australia has taken this stance; they previously withdrew from a three-match T20I series last year. While understanding the internal challenges his nation faces, Asadullah believes that isolating the men's cricket team is counterproductive. "There are cultural factors involved, and change takes time," he observed. "But refusing to play with us because of that will only hurt the men's game too."
In a positive note, Khan expressed profound gratitude towards the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its unwavering support. "We are thankful to all teams that continue to play with us, especially India," he said. "The BCCI has played a major role by providing us grounds and IPL exposure." This support has been crucial for the development of Afghan cricket.
Looking ahead, the chief selector is brimming with confidence for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He believes his team has what it takes to clinch the title. "Our unit is strong — the openers are settled, and our spin and pace attacks can beat any team," Khan declared. "We genuinely believe we can win the World Cup."
