‘More power to u’ – Twitter lauds Rashid Khan for his stand against Australia’s refusal to play Afghanistan

Published on January 13, 2023

Following Cricket Australia‘s decision to pull its men’s team from a bilateral ODI series against Afghanistan in March due to the Taliban’s position banning university education for girls in the country, Rashid Khan, who plays for Adelaide Strikers, has threatened to quit the Big Bash League.

Following consultation with the Australian government, Cricket Australia decided earlier on Thursday to cancel the Australian men’s team’s participation in a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates. The Taliban, who currently control Afghanistan, recently announced that they would prohibit girls from attending university. Apex Cricket Council CEO Geoff Allardice had previously called this development alarming. This was cited as the reason for the ban.

“I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March,” Rashid said. “I take great pride in representing my country, and we have made great progress on the world stage. This decision from CA sets us back in that journey. If playing vs Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia, then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will be strongly considering my future in that competition,” Rashid wrote in his tweet.

Rashid represented Strikers in eight games this season before departing to represent MI Cape Town in the SA20. Due to conflicting commitments, he wasn’t supposed to play in the BBL again this year.

If CA did not reverse its decision, the ACB stated in its response that it would now “rethink the participation of Afghan players in the Big Bash League.” The future of women’s cricket in Afghanistan was not specifically mentioned in the ACB’s statement, though.

“Cricket Australia’s decision to withdraw from upcoming matches against Afghanistan is coming after consultation and potential enforcement from the Australian Government, which is an unfortunate attempt to enter the realm of politics and politicise the sport,” the ACB statement said.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Rashid Khan’s post

A sad day 😢@ICC
— imran khan (@bullahia) January 12, 2023

Thankful to see Cricket Australia standing with Afghan women. But this is performative only & the effect will be the opposite of what’s intended: it will further isolate Taliban’s Hermit Kingdom. TB want this! Now more than ever we need 🌎to engage 🇦🇫, not withdraw from it.
— Doc Tazeh | رک تازه (@DTazeh) January 12, 2023

Brave decision 🇦🇫
— Sabawoon Zazai (@Sabawoonzazai) January 12, 2023

Problem with Western Countries is that as said by EAM Shankar that they think their problem is worlds problem but others problems in not theirs.. Stay away from BBL, nobody watches BBL if STARS are not there.. 👍
— BoltaKabutar.. (@Udtadesh) January 12, 2023

Totally with your team man !
— Sumit (@sumitsaurabh) January 12, 2023

Love that unity coming from Afghanistan cricket team. They are the true face of Afghanistan and not the Taliban. Cricket Australia must really consider it. Cricket and Terrorism are different and should be treated separately.
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) January 12, 2023