Usman Khawaja, a outstanding opener for the Australian Check cricket staff, has just lately voiced his displeasure with Cricket Australia’s (CA) determination to not interact in bilateral sequence with Afghanistan. Khawaja’s remarks have introduced renewed consideration to the intersection of sports activities and worldwide politics, in addition to the way forward for cricketing relations between Australia and Afghanistan.
Cricket Australia’s stance
The Aussie cricketing physique has justified their stance by highlighting human rights points in Afghanistan, significantly the remedy of girls and women underneath the Taliban regime. For the reason that Taliban’s return to energy in 2021, there have been vital restrictions on ladies’s participation in sports activities and schooling. CA believes that by refusing to play bilateral matches, they’ll exert strain on the Taliban to enhance the human rights state of affairs.
Usman Khawaja acknowledges Afghanistan’s success
Khawaja gave a glimpse of his sportsmanship by applauding the Afghan cricket staff following their vital victory over Australia within the Tremendous 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. This win, essentially the most vital in Afghanistan’s cricket historical past, showcased their expertise and perseverance. Khawaja acknowledged their achievement and exhausting work, emphasizing the standard of their efficiency towards one of many main cricket nations and expressed disappointment at CA’s determination.
“Properly executed Brother. Higher staff on the day. You boys are an inspiration for therefore many again house and overseas. So unhappy we are able to’t see you all play in Australia,” Khawaja wrote on X (previously Twitter).
Properly executed Brother. Higher staff on the day. You boys are an inspiration for therefore many again house and overseas. So unhappy we will not see you all play in Australia. https://t.co/d7PMfxTcgN
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) June 23, 2024
Additionally WATCH: Afghanistan gamers carry Rashid Khan, coach Jonathan Trott carry Rahmanullah Gurbaz on shoulders after reaching the semifinals
Advocacy for taking part in the bilateral cricket with Afghanistan
In a latest interview, Khawaja advocated for Australia to play cricket with Afghanistan. Whereas he revered Cricket Australia’s issues about ladies’s rights in Afghanistan, he careworn the significance of selling and nurturing the game.
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“I personally suppose sure we ought to be enjoying Afghanistan. I’m sympathetic to each side of the puzzle. I completely respect and agree with lots of points of the stance Cricket Australia has by way of ladies’s cricket in Afghanistan, however there’s additionally one other facet to it, of selling and rising the sport,” Khawaja advised 9 Newspapers in Melbourne.
Khawaja additionally identified the frustration amongst Afghan gamers and followers, noting that cricket is a big supply of pleasure in Afghanistan. He argued that the Afghan individuals shouldn’t be penalized for his or her authorities’s actions.
“That is the second time Australia have backed out of a bilateral sequence, and I talked to Rashid Khan. He was actually upset, extra so as a result of the Afghanistan individuals love cricket, and for them cricket is among the few issues they get pleasure from and brings happiness, and the very fact they had been going to play Australia was going to be large, and so they don’t get to see that now. So it really hurts the individuals, and the individuals are separate from the federal government,” he added.
Additionally WATCH: Naveen-ul-Haq mocks Gulbadin Naib over damage drama towards Bangladesh; Afghanistan pacer responds | T20 WC 2024
