Melbourne [Australia], Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has praised the Afghanistan men's cricket team for their famous victory over Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and also hinted at the prospect of the Australians playing a bilateral series against Afghanistan .
In the Super 8 match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, played in Saint Vincent on June 23, Afghanistan defeated the Australian team by 21 runs. After posting 148/6 in 20 overs, Afghanistan dismissed the Mitchell Marsh-led team for 127 runs in 19.1 overs, registering their first win over the most successful team in the history of men's cricket.
Hockley congratulated the Afghan team for their exceptional performance.
According to him, CA decided to postpone the previous series with Afghanistan due to human rights concerns, but remains in close contact with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and hopes that the two teams can compete again in the future.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by Afghan cricketers, particularly in the context of human rights issues affecting women's cricket in the country.
"We absolutely want to see cricket grow and prosper around the world for women and men," Hockley said, according to a statement from Cricket Australia.
Hockley also expressed hope for future developments that would allow Australia and Afghanistan to resume bilateral cricket. Despite existing restrictions, Cricket Australia maintains frequent communication with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and is dedicated to promoting the sport in Afghanistan.
During the press conference, Hockley answered questions about aid to Afghan women's cricket. He mentioned that some Afghan women cricketers living in Australia are active members of local cricket clubs, thanks to the support of the Australian cricket community. Hockley emphasized Cricket Australia's dedication to boosting women's cricket and expressed optimism for good improvements that will allow Afghan women to participate more actively in the sport.
"We absolutely want to see cricket grow and prosper around the world for women and men. The ongoing dialogue with the Afghanistan Cricket Board aims to encourage the development of women's cricket in Afghanistan, despite the political and social challenges today," Hockley said.
Australia have faced Afghanistan four times in ODIs and twice in T20Is, and with the exception of a loss to Rashid Khan's team in the 2024 T20 World Cup encounter in St. Vincent last month, the Australians won the five.
In the Super 8 match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, played in Saint Vincent on June 23, Afghanistan defeated the Australian team by 21 runs. After posting 148/6 in 20 overs, Afghanistan dismissed the Mitchell Marsh-led team for 127 runs in 19.1 overs, registering their first win over the most successful team in the history of men's cricket.
Hockley congratulated the Afghan team for their exceptional performance.
According to him, CA decided to postpone the previous series with Afghanistan due to human rights concerns, but remains in close contact with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and hopes that the two teams can compete again in the future.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by Afghan cricketers, particularly in the context of human rights issues affecting women's cricket in the country.
"We absolutely want to see cricket grow and prosper around the world for women and men," Hockley said, according to a statement from Cricket Australia.
Hockley also expressed hope for future developments that would allow Australia and Afghanistan to resume bilateral cricket. Despite existing restrictions, Cricket Australia maintains frequent communication with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and is dedicated to promoting the sport in Afghanistan.
During the press conference, Hockley answered questions about aid to Afghan women's cricket. He mentioned that some Afghan women cricketers living in Australia are active members of local cricket clubs, thanks to the support of the Australian cricket community. Hockley emphasized Cricket Australia's dedication to boosting women's cricket and expressed optimism for good improvements that will allow Afghan women to participate more actively in the sport.
"We absolutely want to see cricket grow and prosper around the world for women and men. The ongoing dialogue with the Afghanistan Cricket Board aims to encourage the development of women's cricket in Afghanistan, despite the political and social challenges today," Hockley said.
Australia have faced Afghanistan four times in ODIs and twice in T20Is, and with the exception of a loss to Rashid Khan's team in the 2024 T20 World Cup encounter in St. Vincent last month, the Australians won the five.
