ICC can ban Afghanistan in T20 World Cup if they play under Taliban flag

Ever since the Taliban swept to power in Afghanistan, cricket has not been the same in the country. First up, the team’s scheduled three-match ODI series versus Pakistan got cancelled. Then came the news of the Taliban banning  women’s team to play cricket. Hamid Shinwari, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO too was sacked.

And now, if the latest reports are to be believed, then Afghanistan’s participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 could be under serious jeopardy due to the team probably sporting the flag of the Taliban in the ICC event. Certain reports also emerged that Shinwari’s sacking was carried out by the Taliban.

The ICC has not given any statement as of yet regarding Afghanistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup. The ICC, in all probability, might conduct a meeting last minute to discuss the team’s participation in the showpiece event. A recent report in The Telegraph also states that other countries can vote against Afghanistan from participating in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on October 17.

The Asian team are currently in Group B alongside India, Pakistan, New Zealand and are set to play their first match on October 25. Also, the Taliban’s women’s team ban may come to haunt Afghanistan. Australia have hinted they may boycott Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup and several other teams might follow the same.