KABUL: Taliban have approved Afghan’s first cricket test since their takeover, raised hope that international matches will continue as usual under the new Islamist government.
“We received approval to send a team to Australia,” Chief Executive Board Cricket Afghanistan Hamid Shinwari told AFP.
During their first task in power, before they were overthrown in 2001, the Taliban prohibited most of the forms of entertainment – including many sports – and the stadium was used as a place for public execution.
However, hard-line Islamists don’t mind cricket, and this game is popular among many warriors.
They also promised to enforce the less strict Islamic legal version this time, after capturing the capital Kabul last month.
The test match, to be played in Hobart from November 27 – December 1, is scheduled last year but was postponed due to the restrictions on Pandemic and Covid-19 international trip.
This will be Afghanistan’s first test in Australia.
Before the Australian tour, the Afghan team will display in the Twenty20 World Cup, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates from October 17 to November 15.
Shinwari also confirmed the Afghan-19 Cricket Under-19 team to visit Bangladesh for two days this month.
Since the evacuation of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan after the Taliban swept Kabul last month, there were fears that cricket and other sports would be beaten.
But ACB officials firmly said that cricket was supported by the Taliban.
The Afghan Home Odi series against Pakistan – shifted to Sri Lanka – but was canceled until next year for the problem of logistics and Covid-19 weeks ago.