Cricket Australia (CA) defended its decision to selectively boycott matches against Afghanistan on Thursday. This followed criticism from International Cricket Council (ICC) departing chairman Greg Barclay, who called CA’s approach inconsistent.
Australia has repeatedly declined to play bilateral series with Afghanistan. This is due to concerns about the Taliban's suppression of women’s sports.
However, Australia has continued playing Afghanistan in major tournaments like the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan notably won a match against Australia in this year's tournament.
"If you want to make a political statement, don’t play them in a World Cup. It’s not about having half a principle. Sure, it might cost you a semi-final place, but principles are principles," Barclay said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.
CA chairman Mike Baird responded to the criticism. He defended the organization’s decisions regarding Afghanistan.
"We've taken a position, and we're proudly standing up where we think we should. There’s all types of lines you can draw. We’ve drawn a line," Baird said.
Australia has boycotted bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan three times since 2021. The most recent cancellation was a T20 series in March 2024. CA cited worsening conditions for women under Taliban rule as the reason.
Before the Taliban regained control, the Afghanistan Cricket Board had started developing women's cricket. Several semi-professional women players were contracted in 2020.
Many of these players sought refuge in Australia after the Taliban’s return to power.
This situation highlights the complex intersection of sports, ethics, and politics. Australia remains firm in its partial boycott despite calls for greater consistency.
