ICC acting CEO confirms Afghanistan’s participation in T20 World Cup 2021

In what can be called news of relief for Afghanistan cricket, International Cricket Council (ICC) acting CEO Geoff Allardice confirmed there’s no threat to Afghanistan’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021. Several reports had suggested that ICC might not allow Afghanistan to feature in the showpiece event if the side decides to play under the Taliban flag amid the ongoing turmoil in the nation.

Afghanistan Cricket has been in a state of chaos ever since the Taliban took over the political setup of the nation. With the Taliban not in support of women’s cricket, Cricket Australia had threatened  Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to cancel the historic Test match in November if women’s cricket doesn’t get backing from the national board. In other dismal news for ACB, ICC reportedly considered forbidding Afghanistan’s participation.

Nevertheless, ICC rubbished the reports, saying Afghanistan is a full member of the council. “They are a full member at the ICC and the team is preparing for the event (World Cup) at the moment (and) will be playing in (the) Group league. In terms of their participation, it is proceeding as normal,” Allardice said at a virtual conference call.

Last month, the Taliban had replaced Hamid Shinwari with Naseed Zadran Khan as ACB’s chairman. Hence, it would be interesting to see what changes the board undergoes. Geoff Allardice also admitted that ICC would be keeping an eye on what transition and new policies will come into the picture for ACB.

We are waiting to see how things unfold for ACB under new regime: ICC

“Yes, I think, when the change of regime took place in Afghanistan in August, we have been in regular contact with their cricket board, the Afghanistan Cricket Board and our primary function are to support the development of cricket in that country through the member board,” Allardice said.

“We are waiting to see how things unfold under the different regimes in that country and we will do that through the cricket board. The ICC Board will consider it when they next meet, which is looking like at the end of the T20 World Cup,” he added.