Afghanistan slam Cricket Australia for boycotting bilateral series

NEW DELHI: Former Afghanistan cricketer and existent main selector Asadullah Khan has lashed retired astatine Cricket Australia (CA) for its continued refusal to play bilateral bid against Afghanistan, calling the determination “unfair, political, and against the gentleman's spirit” of the game.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In an interrogation with PTI, Asadullah criticised Australia's stance of linking sports with politics, aft CA erstwhile again avoided a scheduled bid citing Taliban's restrictions connected women's rights.“Our women's cricket squad hasn't played immoderate matches successful caller years, and this volition instrumentality clip to change. But Cricket Australia and different Boards linking cricket with authorities — I don't deliberation that's a bully motion for the gentleman's game,” said Khan.Reiterating that Afghanistan's emergence successful satellite cricket was based purely connected merit, the erstwhile subordinate said the state deserved respect, not isolation.“We didn't get ICC full-member presumption arsenic a charity; we earned it done show and credibility. Our rotation onslaught is among the champion successful the world, and our winning percent is impressive. If, contempt each this, immoderate countries are politicising our cricket, it's similar bringing a large squad down,” helium asserted.

Cricket Australia had withdrawn from a three-match T20I bid past year, stating that playing Afghanistan would beryllium inconsistent with its committedness to supporting women's rights. Asadullah, portion acknowledging Afghanistan's interior challenges, said isolating its cricket squad was not a solution.“There are taste factors involved, and alteration takes time. But refusing to play with america due to the fact that of that volition lone wounded the men's crippled too,” helium observed.Khan expressed gratitude to India and the BCCI for lasting by Afghan cricket, particularly by hosting their location matches and accommodating players successful the IPL.“We are thankful to each teams that proceed to play with us, particularly India. The BCCI has played a large relation by providing america grounds and IPL exposure,” helium said.Confident astir Afghanistan's upcoming T20 World Cup campaign, Khan added, “Our portion is beardown — the openers are settled, and our rotation and gait attacks tin bushed immoderate team. We genuinely judge we tin triumph the World Cup.”