Afghanistan cricket bosses are still awaiting instructions from the country’s new Taliban government on the future of the women’s game and are not anticipating a decision any time soon, a top cricket official told reporters.
The Taliban on Tuesday named a new government, three weeks after sweeping to power when the Western-backed government collapsed in the wake of the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces.
When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan two decades ago, girls were not allowed to attend school, and women were banned from work and education.
Photo: AFP
“So far, we don’t have any news from the government,” Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Hamid Shinwari said in a telephone interview. “Its future will be decided by the new government.”
“We are still in an emergency state in the country,” Shinwari said. “Whenever we get to a normal state, that decision will be made.”
The Afghan women’s squad was quietly disbanded amid safety concerns a few years after it was formed in 2010, but the board revived the team last year and gave contracts to 25 players.
The board’s program for girls has already been paused, Shinwari said, but men’s cricket has been allowed to continue as before.
“So far, whatever message we’ve received is of support for the game,” he said. For the “past two weeks, I’ve been trying convey our mission to the authorities and government officials — how this game can contribute — and that has paid off. We haven’t experienced any impediments so far.”
Cricket’s popularity has soared in Afghanistan and players such as spinner Rashid Khan have become marquee names in Twenty20 leagues across the cricketing world.
“Sports, particularly cricket, can significantly boost revenue in the country, spread positivity and even create qualified workforce,” Shinwari said. “It’s important the new government understands cricket’s importance.”
The men’s team are to compete at the Twenty20 World Cup, scheduled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman next month and in November, before touring Australia for a one-off Test.
The board is also looking to stage a T20 tri-series, involving Australia and the West Indies, prior to the World Cup.
“They [Australia and the Windies] want it in the UAE to help their World Cup preparations, but the UAE is also hosting the Indian Premier League. We’re trying to finalize the venue,” Shinwari said.
The board wants to hold its pre-World Cup training camp either in the UAE or in Qatar so head coach Lance Klusener and bowling coach Shaun Tait can join the squad.
The team have played their “home” games primarily in India and the UAE in the past few years, but if the Taliban recognizes the game’s potential, Shinwari is hopeful that the board would be able to host international matches in Afghanistan.
“We are thankful to those countries, but at times, we face challenges in hosting them outside,” he said. “We want to invite international teams to play in Afghanistan, which will significantly boost our economy.”
“We have very good stadiums in three regions — Kandahar, Nangarhar and Kabul,” he said. “Alu Khel could be the first to host international cricket in the country.”
Carlos Alcaraz on Monday powered into the French Open second round with a resounding win to start his title defense, while world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and three-time defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek also progressed at Roland Garros. Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz struck 31 winners in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri and is to face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in round two. Alcaraz is now on an eight-match winning streak at the French Open and also took Olympic silver at Roland Garros last year, losing the final to Novak Djokovic. “The first round is never
TIGHT FINISH: Napoli only needed to do the same as or better than Inter, who won their game against Como 2-0 on the same day, leaving Napoli with a one-point lead The two players who Antonio Conte wanted more than any others secured Napoli their second Serie A title in three years on Friday. Scott McTominay scored with an acrobatic bicycle kick before halftime and Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead with a solo goal after the break in the decisive 2-0 home win over Cagliari. Conte became the first coach to win the Italian championship with three different teams. “Everyone contributed to this — but the coach most of all,” Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo said. “Napoli needed him to get back on top. He’s phenomenal.” Comparing it to his three Serie A titles won
The journey of Taiwan’s badminton mixed doubles duo Ye Hong-wei and Nicole Chan at the Malaysia Masters in Kuala Lumpur came to an end in the semi-finals yesterday after they suffered a 2-0 loss to China’s Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping. Ye, 25, and Chan, 20, teamed up last year and are currently ranked No. 23 in the world. The Taiwanese shuttlers took on China’s second seeds in the mixed doubles event, but proved no match for Feng and Huang, losing the match 10-21, 7-21. In the first half of the first game, the pairings were neck and neck at 6-7 until Ye
SSC Napoli coach Antonio Conte has dragged the team back from disaster and restored them to the top of Italian Serie A, but his future at the Scudetto winners is in doubt even after a triumphant season. The fiery 55-year-old has exceeded preseason expectations and bolstered his reputation as a serial winner by guiding Napoli to their fourth Scudetto, and second in three seasons. However, he might well be on his way in the summer after just one season at the helm as his charged relationship with Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has simmered throughout the campaign. Conte has said
RSS