The Afghanistan cricket team is gearing up to compete in the Champions Trophy, set to play against South Africa in Karachi this Friday. Despite the excitement surrounding their participation, the team is embroiled in controversy due to calls for a boycott over the lack of a national women's team. The International Cricket Council (ICC) mandates that all its full members, including Afghanistan, must have a national women's team. However, since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, female participation in sports has been effectively outlawed in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan's cricket team enters the Champions Trophy as a well-fancied contender. They achieved notable success at the 2023 World Cup, securing four victories, and reached the semi-finals of last year's T20 World Cup. Their group in the Champions Trophy includes formidable opponents such as Australia and England. Notably, the pitches in Pakistan are expected to favor Afghanistan's world-class spinners, giving them a potential edge.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has urged the ICC for a unified response regarding Afghanistan's compliance with its membership requirements. The global governing body, however, maintains that the current men's players should not be penalized for the policies of the Afghanistan government. Instead, it aims to leverage its position and the sport of cricket to influence change in the country.
Afghanistan's captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, addressed the controversy during a news conference on Thursday. Speaking in English, his second language, Shahidi emphasized that his team remains focused on their performance on the field.
"We only control things inside the ground." – Hashmatullah Shahidi
Shahidi further stated that as sportsmen, their primary job is to play cricket, and they remain unfazed by external debates.
"As a sportsman our job is to play cricket and we don't care what's going on outside." – Hashmatullah Shahidi
He expressed confidence in his team's prospects at the tournament, highlighting their experience and favorable conditions as key factors.
"We are not here just to participate in this tournament. We are 100% looking to win this event. It's a good chance for us because the boys are very experienced and these conditions are also suitable for us, so we have a good chance." – Hashmatullah Shahidi
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