“I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL,” Rashid Khan may quit BBL after Australia cancels Afghanistan tour

The ACB will also officially write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the issue. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said the “concerning” issues will be raised in its next meeting.

“I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL,” Rashid Khan may quit BBL after Australia cancels Afghanistan tour

Rashid Khan

Afghanistan’s star spinner Rashid Khan may quit playing the Big Bash League (BBL) in retaliation to Cricket Australia’s (CA) decision to cancel the three-match ODI series. The series was set to take place in March in the United Arab Emirates. The CA has decided to withdraw its team because it strongly condemns the Taliban’s restriction on women’s and girls’ education and employment.

“I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March,” Rashid said in his statement. Rashid played eight matches this season for the Adelaide Strikers then he went to South Africa to play in the SA20 league. Overall, he played 69 matches for the Strikers and scalped 98 wickets.

“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 on 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 concluded. Previously, he condemned the Taliban’s decision to ban women from universities.

Related: Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq pulls out of BBL after Australia called off ODI series

ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said the issue will be raised in the next meeting

Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan

CA CEO Nick Hockley said the board did not take this decision lightly and it was even consulted with the Australian government. He then added that they were hopeful of playing the series, but the Taliban’s recent announcements in November-December signaled the deterioration of basing human rights for women in the Asian country. “Basic human rights is not politics,” Hockley said.

Afghanistan Cricket Board is “extremely disappointed by the pathetic decision” of CA. The board will also officially write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the issue. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said the “concerning” issues will be raised in its next meeting.

Previously, Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq also criticized CA for their “childish” decision and pulled himself out of the BBL where he played a couple of matches for the Sydney Sixers this year.

CA also had previously canceled a one-off Test series in Afghanistan in November 2021 following the Taliban’s takeover of the country. After seizing power, they immediately banned female participation in sports.

Afghanistan is the only ICC full-member nation without a women’s team. It will also be the only full-member country without having a team at the inaugural Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, starting on Saturday (January 14th).

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