Tim Paine upset with ICC for allowing Afghanistan to play the 2021 T20 World Cup

With the Taliban imposing a ban on Women’s Cricket in Afghanistan, questions have been arising on the future of the Afghanistan Cricket. The inclusion of Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2021 is also in question. Tim Paine, the Australian Test Team Skipper, has expressed his views on the issue.

As soon as the interim government was formed, the Taliban banned all Women sports in the country, including Women’s Cricket. This has led to all sorts of speculations going on, related to the Afghanistan Cricket. Afghanistan men team’s test status is also in danger. With no Women’s team, a country can’t enjoy the ‘test nation’ status, according to ICC rules.

Tim Paine says Afghanistan shouldn’t be allowed to play the T20 World Cup 2021

While speaking on SEN radio, Paine said that it’s impossible for Afghanistan to participate in the T20 World Cup 2021. “I’d imagine it’s impossible (for Afghanistan to take part) if teams are pulling out of playing against them and governments are not letting them travel to our shores,” Paine said.

Paine questioned how a team like Afghanistan can be allowed to play in an ICC event. He said that he believes Cricket Australia won’t like to be in association with the countries that are taking away the opportunities from women.

Cricket Australia has already announced on Thursday that the Australian Men’s team won’t be playing the one-off test against Afghanistan. The test match was to start on November 27 but due to the Taliban’s order, Cricket Australia has now pulled off.

Tim Paine also expressed his displeasure on ICC’s silence on the Taliban issue. The ICC has decided not to discuss the Taliban issue until a board meeting in November. Hence Afghanistan will most likely be playing the T20 World Cup 2021 which kicks off on October 17.

Afghanistan is in the Group 2 of Super 12s with India, Pakistan and New Zealand. The first match of Afghanistan is scheduled for October 25.

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The Afghanistan Cricket Board has already named a 20-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2021. The star bowler, Rashid Khan was named as the skipper, but he stepped down from the position, stating he was not consulted while picking the side.