Cricket Australia Halts Men’s T20 Series with Afghanistan Over Women’s Rights Concerns

The decision marks the third cancellation of a cricket series against Afghanistan by Australia, citing worsening conditions for women under Taliban rule.

Cricket Australia has postponed its men’s T20 series against Afghanistan, scheduled for August, due to deteriorating human rights conditions for women.
The series was expected to be played in the UAE, serving as neutral ground, but concerns over the treatment of women and girls in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan led to the cancellation.
This is the third instance of Australia refusing to play Afghanistan since the Taliban regained control in September 2021, imposing restrictions on female participation in sports.
Cricket Australia emphasizes its commitment to supporting women and girls in cricket globally and plans to engage with the International Cricket Council and the Afghanistan Cricket Board to explore future bilateral series.
Afghanistan remains the only International Cricket Council full member nation without a women’s cricket team.