Australia Postpones Afghanistan Cricket Tour: Taking a Stand Against Human Rights Issues
In a move that underscores the importance of human rights in international sports, Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the postponement of the three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan, originally scheduled for August. This decision comes amidst ongoing concerns regarding the deteriorating conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan. Afghanistan and Australia last faced each other during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The postponement follows a pattern of principled stances taken by Cricket Australia in response to human rights issues in Afghanistan. Back in January 2023, CA postponed an ODI series for similar reasons, citing the Taliban’s imposition of restrictions on women and girls’ education and employment. The decision reflects CA’s commitment to advocating for improved conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan. Consultation with the Australian Government has been integral to CA’s decision-making process. Government advice indicates a worsening situation for women a...