Australian men's team forfeits ODI series vs Afghanistan to protest Taleban restrictions on women's education

Colombo (News 1st) - Cricket Australia has pulled its en's team out of the scheduled 3-match one-day international series versus Afghanistan in the UAE in March to protest the Taleban's increasing restrictions on access to education and employment for women and girls, foreign media reported.

Australia will forfeit the 30 points that are on offer for the tournament, and these points will be awarded to Afghanistan. 

"Cricket Australia is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country," Cricket Australia tweeted.

Australia's Sports Minister Anika Wells supported the decision. "The Australian Government welcomes@CricketAus’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming men’s One Day International series against Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s increased suppression of women and girls’ rights," she tweeted.

The Taleban last December banned women from attending universities of high schools and also blocked access to employment by ordering all international NGOs to stop employing women. Several major global NGOs pulled out of the country.