Asadullah Khan, the chief selector of the Afghanistan national cricket team and a former international cricketer, has publicly criticised Cricket Australia, accusing the board of mixing politics with the sport. His remarks come amid tensions following the Taliban’s prohibition on women’s participation in sports.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in September 2021, several cricket boards, including Australia, have refused to schedule bilateral series with Afghanistan, citing ethical concerns over the suspension of women’s cricket in the country. Khan, however, believes this approach undermines the spirit of cricket.
“Our women’s team has not been active in recent years, and naturally, it will take time to rebuild. But using cricket as a political tool is not a positive signal for a sport often regarded as the gentleman’s game,” Khan said in an exclusive interview. He emphasised that penalising the men’s team for circumstances beyond their control is counterproductive.
Highlighting Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket, Khan pointed to the team’s consistent performances and world-class spin attack. “Our spin bowlers rank among the best globally, and our record on the field speaks for itself. By politicising cricket, some nations are sidelining a team that has earned its place purely on merit,” he explained.
Khan also acknowledged the deep-rooted cultural and societal issues in Afghanistan, noting that transformation would take time. However, he warned that isolating the men’s cricket team will only hinder progress, stating, “Refusing us the opportunity to play damages the development of cricket itself and harms young players who aspire to achieve on the world stage.”
Meanwhile, members of Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team, many of whom fled the country after the Taliban’s ban, recently attended the opening match of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Guwahati. Their presence symbolises the ongoing struggle for gender equality and inclusion in sport.
Khan expressed heartfelt gratitude to India’s Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) for its unwavering support. He noted that the BCCI’s assistance goes beyond facilities, highlighting that eight Afghan players now participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL), exposing them to world-class competition.
He concluded with a call for cricket boards worldwide to separate politics from the game. “Afghanistan’s players, irrespective of political circumstances, deserve respect and equal opportunities. Cricket should unite, not divide,” he urged.
