Afghanistan’s Chief Selector Criticises Cricket Australia for Mixing Politics with the Game

Asadullah Khan, the chief selector of the Afghanistan national cricket team and a former international player, has strongly criticised Cricket Australia, accusing the board of politicising the sport following the Taliban’s ban on women’s participation in athletics.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in September 2021, Australia has refused to play any bilateral series against Afghanistan, citing the suspension of women’s cricket as the reason. Khan, however, believes that such actions are harmful to the spirit of cricket.

“Our women’s team has not been active in recent years, and it will naturally take some time to change that. But linking cricket with politics is not a positive sign for a sport that is often called the gentleman’s game,” Khan remarked during an interview.

He further explained that refusing to engage with Afghanistan amounts to sidelining a talented team that has earned its place on merit. “Our spin attack is among the best in the world, and our winning record speaks for itself. Yet, by politicising the issue, some countries are dragging a great team down for reasons beyond cricket,” he added.

Khan also acknowledged that there are deeper cultural and societal factors within Afghanistan that need time to evolve, but he believes isolating the men’s cricket team only worsens the situation. “Denying us the opportunity to play won’t help anyone. It damages the growth of cricket itself,” he said.

Meanwhile, members of Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team, who fled the country after the Taliban ban, recently attended the opening match of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati — a symbolic gesture highlighting their ongoing struggle for inclusion in sport.

Khan expressed gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its consistent support. “We are thankful to every nation that continues to play with us, especially India. The BCCI has been instrumental, not only by offering us facilities but also by opening doors through the IPL, where eight of our players now compete in the world’s premier T20 league,” he said.

Khan concluded by urging cricket boards worldwide to keep politics separate from the game, emphasising that Afghanistan’s players, regardless of political circumstances, deserve equal respect and opportunities on the international stage.

Khaborwala/SJ