Australia cancels Afghanistan cricket series over curbs on women
Al JazeeraAustralia pulls out of upcoming one-day series in the UAE citing ruling Taliban’s moves to further restrict women’s rights. Australia’s men’s team has withdrawn from their One-Day International series against Afghanistan in March following further restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights imposed by the Taliban, Cricket Australia said. “This decision follows the recent announcement by the Taliban of further restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment opportunities and their ability to access parks and gyms,” CA said in a statement on Thursday. “We thank the Australian government for its support on this matter.” The Afghanistan Cricket Board described Australia’s decision as “pathetic”. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice has said Afghanistan’s lack of commitment to women’s cricket is a concern for the sport’s global governing body and that the matter will be discussed at its next board meeting.