'Don't isolate us' - Afghan board pleads after Australia threatens to boycott men's team

Afghanistan Cricket is in jeopardy after the Taliban’s ultimatum of not allowing women cricket in the country. Taking a stern stance, Cricket Australia (CA) said if the Taliban is going to suppress women cricket, they won’t host their men’s team in the historic Test in November. Australia also is likely to boycott Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup. Amidst the speculation that other boards might also do the same, Afghanistan cricket authorities have pleaded with the countries not to isolate Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Hamid Shinwari issued a statement and said the ACB is not powerful enough to change the cultural and religious environment of the country.

"The ACB is powerless to change the culture and religious environment of Afghanistan. We are concerned that, if other countries' cricket administrators follow CA, then Afghan cricket will be alienated from the cricket world, the development of cricket in our country will be stalled and, even more concerning, cricket may cease to exist in Afghanistan."

A Taliban represented had stated that women cricket won’t be allowed in the country as it goes against the rules of Islam. The Afghanistan women squad was disbanded after being formed in 2010. However, it was recently revived when ACB decided to give contracts to 25 women cricketers.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan announced its 18-member squad for the T20 World Cup and made some shocking inclusions. However, ACB did not consulted Rashid Khan, their skipper, before selecting the squad. Disappointed with the same, Rashid stepped down from his host. All-rounder Mohammad Nabi will now lead Afghanistan in World Cup, if the team is allowed to play.