Naveen-ul-Haq posts a cryptic story for Cricket Australia ahead of their World Cup clash

Afghanistan’s star pacer Naveen-ul-Haq takes a dig at Cricket Australia ahead of his side’s clash against Australia in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. The match will be contested at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 7.

Naveen indirectly said that he is waiting to face Pat Cummins and Co. in the ongoing showpiece event. His remarks coincided with Australia’s decision to postpone their away ODI series against Afghanistan earlier in January, citing Taliban restrictions on women’s rights in the nation.

“Refusing to play the bilateral series, now It will be interesting to see Cricket Australia stand in the WorldCup. #standards #humanrights or 2 points,” the youngster wrote in his Instagram story.

What’s the controversy between Afghanistan and Australia

Australia withdrew from the series against Afghanistan, which was a part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Super League, in which a spot in the 2023 World Cup was assured for the top eight nations. The apex body had offered ICC ODI Super League points and since Cricket Australia (CA) decided to pull off the series, Afghanistan acquired all 30 points. Notably, Australia had already qualified for the tournament at that time and it did not particularly matter to them that they lost out on thirty points.

Remarkably, the cricket governing body, CA, stated their commitment to promoting the growth of the game for men and women worldwide, including Afghanistan, in a statement that was then posted on their official website.

“CA 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. We thank the Australian Government for its support on this matter,” the CA had previously stated in a statement.

For the unreversed, in November 2021 Australia were slated to play Afghanistan in a Test match. However, the game was cancelled once the Taliban took power in August of the same year.