A miffed Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Wednesday requested its Australian counterparts to “not succumb” to pressures from their authorities, which the south Asian nation believes led to the postponement of a bilateral T20 sequence. Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday postponed a three-match T20 International dwelling sequence towards Afghanistan’s males’s staff in August this 12 months, citing the “worsening” circumstances for ladies and women in that nation.

Responding to CA’s transfer in a strongly-worded letter, the ACB stated, “The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses disappointment over Cricket Australia’s decision to postpone yet another bilateral series against Afghanistan and reiterates its stance on neutral and politics-free cricket across the globe.

“ACB advocates for retaining cricket distinct from political affect, contemplating the sport’s significance in Afghanistan and its connection to the happiness and pleasure of the Afghan nation.” CA’s decision to postpone the upcoming series is the continuation of its tough stand on Afghanistan. CA had cancelled a one-off Test against them in Hobart in November 2021, following which they also postponed a three-match ODI series in the UAE.

The Afghanistan board feels CA is acting on directives from the Australian government, who was requested “to not impose its insurance policies on cricket boards and as a substitute deal with supporting the event of cricket throughout areas”.

“ACB acknowledges the pressures confronted by Cricket Australia from the Australian authorities, and emphasises on the significance of addressing such points by way of collaborative efforts between the 2 cricket boards.

“ACB’s top management had previously engaged in negotiations with Cricket Australia and proposed exploring alternative solutions instead of publicly announcing withdrawals.

“ACB expresses disappointment over CA’s resolution to withdraw from Afghanistan for the third time,” the board said in the letter.

The three-match T20I series was part of Afghanistan’s FTP (Future Tours Programmes) for the ICC 2023-2027 international calendar, which was approved by the ICC in the presence of the CA delegation, who had “agreed to the fixtures on the time”, the ACB said.

“This latest withdrawal follows Cricket Australia’s earlier actions, together with withdrawing from a one-off Test match towards Afghanistan in 2021 and refusing to play Afghanistan in a three-match ODI sequence in March 2023 attributable to authorities affect.

“ACB urges Cricket Australia to respect and understand its position as a Full Member nation and look for alternative solutions rather than succumbing to external pressures and/or political influences.” To conclude, the dissatisfied board stated the ACB stays “committed to negotiating” with the ICC, CA, and different full member international locations and “adhering” to the sport’s apex physique’s ideas to make sure cricket stays free from political affect and supported by all events concerned.

Afghanistan had been the one Full Member to not be represented on the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, as a result of the females within the nation have been barred from enjoying cricket.