Australian cricket hypocrisy condemned by outgoing ICC chair.

Cricket fallout from a forever war, your opinions welcomed

The whole issue of Afghanistan cricket and Australia kicked off over night with the outgoing chair of the International Cricket Council essentially accusing Australia of virtue signalling and hypocrisy.

At the same time, a group of Afghan cricketers have taken a stand against a government ruling that bans education for women in that blighted place.

To play or not play Afghanistan is an issue that gives me a headache. I’m of the opinion you have to do something for the women of that country, but well aware of how the western nations let down the entire population and how much cricket means to the people of Afghanistan.

In South Africa during apartheid there was a slogan that accompanied the international sporting ban: no normal sport in an abnormal society. There are imperfect parallels between the two situations, but parallels nonetheless.

Australia has refused to play bilateral series against Afghanistan in protest at the Taliban’s treatment of women and in compliance with a government directive, but played them in ICC events.

I really want to know what Cricket Et Al readers think about this (does anyone know how that chat function works?)

Greg Barclay, the outgoing ICC chief, threw some haymakers at Cricket Australia overnight.

In an interview with The Telegraph, he stated, “If you want to make a political statement, don’t play them in a World Cup. Sure, it might cost you a semi-final place, but principles are principles. It’s not about having half a principle,” he told Nick Hoult.

“It is not the Afghanistan board’s fault. They used to have women’s cricket. I think our approach has been right. It would be easy to kick Afghanistan out, but their board haven’t done anything wrong.

"They’re just working under a decree and a series of laws that says this is what you have to do. I don’t think it would make a jot of difference to the ruling party there to kick them out,.

“Maybe I’m a little naive, but I think cricket is such a force for good there, and it brings a lot of joy to a lot of people. It is better to leave it there and hope that it can foster a bit of a change.”

Barclay’s point has some validity, but is half a principle better than no principle at all?

I’m swayed by reports of the Afghanistan people being uplifted by their side’s success and wouldn’t want to see that denied them. Maybe the half pregnant approach is ok - a bet each way. (Yeah, hah)

Come Boxing Day the Afghan women who fled to this country will play a Cricket Without Borders XI in Melbourne in January, an event organised by Cricket Australia and supporters of these impressive young women.

That is a wonderful development, but it is one game of cricket. And their first. It’s a feelgood moment and these have been rare for those brave women.

The Afghan men base themselves outside that troubled place. This week Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi both put out pleas to the Taliban to make some changes.

"Education holds a central place in Islamic teachings, emphasizing the pursuit of knowledge for both men and women," Rashid wrote in an Instagram story. "The Quran highlights the importance of learning and acknowledges the equal spiritual worth of both genders.

"It is with deep sadness and disappointment that I reflect on the recent closures of educational and medical institutions for the sisters and mothers of Afghanistan. This decision has profoundly affected not only their future but also the broader fabric of our society. The pain and sorrow they express through social media serve as a poignant reminder of the struggles they face.

"Afghanistan, our beloved homeland, stands at a critical juncture. The country desperately needs professionals in every field, especially the medical sector. The acute shortage of female doctors and nurses is particularly concerning, as it directly impacts the healthcare and dignity of women. It is essential for our sisters and mothers to have access to care provided by medical professionals who truly understand their needs.

"I sincerely appeal for the reconsideration of this decision so that Afghan girls may reclaim their right to education and contribute to the nation's development. Providing education to all is not just a societal responsibility but a moral obligation deeply rooted in our faith and values."

Nabi wrote this:

"The Taliban's decision to ban girls from studying medicine is not only heartbreaking but deeply unjust. Islam has always emphasised the importance of education for everyone, and history is full of inspiring examples of Muslim women who made vital contributions to many generations through knowledge.

"I urge the Taliban to reflect on these values. Denying girls the chance to learn and serve their people is a betrayal of both their dreams and our nation's future. Let our daughters study, grow, and build a better Afghanistan for everyone. This is their right, and it is our duty to protect it."

I look to you, dear readers, for clarity of thought. As I said, I’m not sure what is the right course of action when it comes to playing Afghanistan.

The Telegraph skewed Barclay’s comments as a claim Australia was ‘virtue signalling’, but that cry so beloved of culture war try-hards bothers me. When you accuse somebody with opposing views of virtue signalling what does that say of the signal you send?

Sometimes the tone of the debate reminds me of the Norm MacDonald observation about Bill Cosby: when another comedian suggested it was Cosby’s hypocrisy that really annoyed them Norm said he couldn’t agree as it was the rapin’ that really annoyed him.

(You want hypocrisy, try this on for size: the Brereton Report found Australians responsible for the unlawful killing of of 39 Afghanistan citizens, but the only person to face any real consequences is the whistleblower, David McBride, who has been sent to jail for almost six years.

So, the Australian government that tells cricket not to engage with Afghanistan is also the one that jails the person who reveals Australian troops involvement in the murder of innocent citizens from that country, but not the ones responsible for the killings …)