Afghanistan’s place in international cricket is precariously poised after a spokesperson for the Taliban said that women would not be able to play cricket because their faces and bodies may be “exposed”.
The deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq, told SBS news that it is “unecessary” for women to play cricket.
"In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this,” said Mr Wasiq.
"It is the media era, and there will be photos and videos, and then people watch it. Islam and the Islamic Emirate do not allow women to play cricket or play the kind of sports where they get exposed.”
"In cricket and other sports, women will not get an Islamic dress code. It is obvious that they will get exposed and will not follow the dress code, and Islam does not allow that."
Aghanistan are scheduled to take part in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in October and November, before flying to Hobart to play Australia in the first ever Test between the two countries.
But the Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein, expressed concerns about the Test going ahead in Hobart and told Parliament on Tuesday he would consult with the local Hazara community.
"I have very real concerns as to whether or not the state should hold that match without some very clear commitments being made around it, in terms of the future of women's sport," said Gutwein.
"We'll be seeking to engage with the Australian Cricket Board [Cricket Australia] and I want to get the feedback from our local community as well.
"If our local community felt that it would be sensible and perhaps confidence building to allow that match to go ahead then obviously that's a different matter. But I think we need to get some advice."
Mr Wasiq had previously told SBS Pashto that the Taliban would allow the Afghanistan Men’s Team to play, including at the T20 World Cup and in Australia.
The ICC and the international cricket community have until now adopted a wait-and-see approach to the situation in Afghanistan, which was awarded full membership status in 2017, allowing them to play Tests.
One condition for full membership is that a country must have a women’s team, but the ICC made an exception in Afghanistan’s case, noting their board’s commitment to women’s cricket and the work that had already been done in developing the women’s game.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board reportedly contracted 25 female players last November, but they have yet to play an international match.
If the Taliban does ban women from playing, it may force the ICC to make a decision on Afghanistan’s membership status before the T20 World Cup begins on October 17 and the Test starting November 27.
But Mr Wasiq indicated the Taliban’s decisions would not be influenced by foreign administrations.
"Even for this, if we face challenges and problems, we have fought for our religion so that Islam is to be followed. We will not cross Islamic values even if it carries opposite reactions. We will not leave our Islamic rules," said Mr Wasiq.
Cricket Australia has so far followed the ICC in monitoring the situation.
“Cricket Australia is in regular contact with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Australian Government regarding the situation in Afghanistan and the upcoming tour of the Afghanistan Men’s Cricket Team,” said a Cricket Australia spokesperson.
“As of today, Afghanistan is a full member nation of the ICC and as such is scheduled to play the ICC T20 World Cup next month, followed by the Hobart Test.
“Clearly, some of the issues arising are significant global matters which transcend the game of cricket which we, and many hundreds of millions of people, love.
“Cricket Australia considers itself a leader in driving the evolution and promotion of the women’s game globally, as evidenced by the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at the MCG last year.
“Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we continue to support the game unequivocally for women and men at every level of the game.
