"We are committed to leveraging our influence constructively to support the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in fostering cricket development and ensuring playing opportunities for both men and women in Afghanistan," an ICC spokesperson told Reuters. While the women's team has been disbanded, Afghanistan men's team have shifted base to Dubai. Britain's Culture minister Lisa Nandy was also apprehensive of the utility of boycotting a cricket team. Australia also play Afghanistan only in multi-team ICC events and have refused to host them more than once. Afghanistan begin their Group B campaign against South Africa in Karachi on Feb 21 before taking on England and Australia.

Source: bd News24 January 14, 2025 13:02 UTC