Usman Khawaja, the opening batsman for Australia in the Test series, has supported Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan’s belief that the two countries ought to play bilateral cricket. Khawaja’s stance contrasts with Cricket Australia’s, which has declined to play the unstable country.
Australia has refused to play cricket with Afghanistan due to the “deteriorating conditions of women and human rights” following the Taliban takeover of the country after the United States withdrew.
“In my opinion, absolutely, we ought to be playing Afghanistan,” Khawaja stated to Nine Newspapers during a Melbourne event.
“I understand all sides of the issue. Regarding women’s cricket in Afghanistan, I completely support and agree with Cricket Australia’s position on many points, but there’s more to it than just that—the sport needs to be promoted and grown.
“I spoke with Rashid Khan, and this is the second time Australia has pulled out of a bilateral series. He was really sad, especially because the people of Afghanistan are passionate about cricket, which is one of the few pastimes they enjoy and finds happy. The fact that they were scheduled to play Australia was going to be very important, and they will now miss that opportunity.
Commentary follows Afghan captain Rashid’s statement that ‘there’s no solution’ to Australia’s rejection of bilateral cricket matches with the Asian nation.
But the two sides continue to play each other in ICC competitions; most recently, in the ongoing T20 World Cup, Afghanistan emerged victorious in an incredible contest. In the previous year’s ODI World Cup, Afghanistan had also been on the verge of defeating Australia; but, an extraordinary century from Glenn Maxwell saw the eventual victors come through.
Afghanistan currently has a slim chance of making it to the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals after defeating Bangladesh and Australia in their most recent Super 8 stage encounter.
