By Gaurav Tripathi
Australia have withdrawn from the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in March in the UAE. Cricket Australia took the major decision due to Afghanistan's Taliban-led government's stand on women and girls' education and employment.
"CA is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, and will continue to engage with the ACB in anticipation of improved conditions for women," the CA statement read.
Meanwhile, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice recently stated that the Taliban's stance is "concerning" and the same would be discussed at its next meeting. "Our board has been monitoring progress since the change of regime," Allardice said.
Afghanistan remain the only ICC full-member nation without a women's team. No Afghanistan-based team will feature in the inaugural Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup as well, starting January 14.