New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has opted for a different approach to its Australian counterparts towards a series against Afghanistan New Zealand national cricket team wants to test his skills against one of the toughest Asian teams.
Earlier this year, in March, Cricket Australia (CA) decided to cancel a men’s T20I series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in August, citing concerns about deteriorating human rights for women and girls in the country controlled by the Taliban governed country exist.
However, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has decided to take on Cricket Australia (CA) and continue its games against Afghanistan, who are now one of the strongest cricket teams in the world, especially in the shorter format of the game.
New Zealand is willing to play with Afghanistan despite human rights issues
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is aware of the deteriorating human rights situation for women and girls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and will honor its commitments as they plan to play a one-off away test against Afghanistan in September. The Black Caps are also ready to play in their scheduled game against Afghanistan ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Play in Guyana on June 8th.
Richard Boock, public affairs manager for New Zealand Cricket (NZC), revealed that the decision was made following discussions at board level and with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA), and that various perspectives and considerations were taken into account before publication.
“The consensus was that an isolated boycott would not change anything in Afghanistan and that it would be more constructive to keep dialogue and participation channels open while continuing to advocate strongly for change.” said Richard Boock in an official statement.
Boock added: “NZC firmly believes that cricket is a game for all and would like to see far greater support for women’s football in Afghanistan in the short to medium term.”
The venue for the one-off test match between New Zealand and Afghanistan, scheduled for September, has not yet been announced, but there is speculation it could take place in the United Arab Emirates. The Black Caps will also face Afghanistan in a white-ball series in either India or the United Arab Emirates in 2026.
Australia’s cricketing ties with Afghanistan will not be resumed anytime soon
It is noteworthy that Australia has pulled out of scheduled games against Afghanistan three times in recent years. In 2021 they canceled a one-off test match that was due to take place in Hobart.
Additionally, Australia also withdrew from a scheduled three-match ODI series scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates last year and has now canceled a T20I series against Australia.
According to a statement from Cricket Australia (CA), the Australian government said conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan are deteriorating. Therefore, their stance on cricket relations with Afghanistan will remain unchanged until there is no change in the Asian country.
Interestingly, there is no group stage match scheduled between Afghanistan and Australia in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to take place on June 1 in the USA and West Indies.