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Mohammad Nabi in the game
Photo: ESPA Photo Agency / imago images / ZUMA Wire
Australia wants to cancel a planned cricket test match against the Afghan men's national team - should the Taliban government not allow women to play the sport.
Australian television broadcaster SBS quoted Deputy Head of the Taliban's Culture Commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq, as saying that he did not believe women should play cricket because "it is not necessary for women to play cricket."
In addition, it is against Islam if players get into a situation in which their face and body are uncovered.
In the media age, there will be photos and videos that are viewed: "Islam and the Islamic emirate do not allow women to play cricket or to practice sports in which they are exposed."
"No choice"
Cricket Australia (CA) then announced: "If the latest media reports are correct, Cricket Australia would have no choice but not to receive Afghanistan for the planned test match in Hobart."
Australia should play their first friendly against Afghanistan on November 27th in Hobart.
The promotion of sport for women is "incredibly important" for the association, it continued: "Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for everyone, and we clearly support the game for women at every level."
The Australian government also described the Taliban's stance as "very worrying."
"We call on the international sports authorities, including the International Cricket Council (ICC), to speak out against this appalling decision," said Sports Minister Richard Colbeck on the television channel SBS.
The ICC said the issue would be discussed at the next meeting on October 17 as part of the Twenty20 World Championships in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
"Despite the cultural and religious challenges in Afghanistan, steady progress has been made in this area since Afghanistan became a full member of the ICC in 2017," it said.
The Australian government canceled a trip to Zimbabwe in 2007 because of the violent repression of political opponents by then President Robert Mugabe.
In addition, Australia did not play against South Africa from 1971 until the end of apartheid.
sak / Reuters