CA chief Nick Hockley: No bilateral cricket with Afghanistan until ‘level of progress’

Cricket Australia (CA) has also stated that Australia will not play bilateral cricket with Afghanistan due to the Taliban government’s stance on women’s rights.

CA chief executive Nick Hockley said there had been “regular discussions” with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on the matter, and hoped the sides would play each other again “in the future”.

“See [Afghanistan] “We had a great tournament with amazing players, and they played with great motivation and spirit,” said Hockley. Cricket board on human rights grounds.

“We maintain a close relationship and regular discussions with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, and we want to see cricket flourish worldwide for both men and women. We hope for a level of progress, and we continue to discuss and maintain contact with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, with the aim of resuming bilateral cricket against Afghanistan at some point in the future “

“We understand that Afghan women based in Australia have written to the ICC,” Hockley said. “That is an issue that needs to be considered by the ICC. We have meetings in Colombo in July, and I’m sure it will be a discussion. The Afghan women living in Australia are working with the cricket community, and we’re getting good support from the whole community. But it’s not something we’ve been directly involved in.

Exiled Afghan women’s footballers, resettled in Melbourne, have been backed by A League side Melbourne Victory to play as a team in Football Victoria’s third division. They even participated in the Hope Cup while they were still waiting to be officially recognized by FIFA.

Asked if there were any plans to integrate Afghanistan’s female cricketers into the Australian club system, Hockley said, “My understanding is that most of the players play for clubs in their hometowns, so you have to say I think. that the community here is very supportive.

“Any people who migrate to Australia and play the game, [and] joining cricket clubs – it’s a great way to meet people, a great way to build relationships in the community. The wider cricket community has been giving their support.”

CA is ‘looking forward to hosting’ the Bangladeshi men

“Bangladesh is part of our next FTP cycle, and we look forward to hosting Bangladesh,” Hockley said. “We have just enjoyed a fantastic tour of the women in Bangladesh ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year. We have really enjoyed the wonderful hospitality and reception the women’s team has received.

“About the men’s trip [is concerned], that is currently not part of FTP for the next few years. But we will continue to work with all members, [and] and the Bangladesh Cricket Board about what the possibilities are for the next FTP.”