ACB official urges political matters to be left to diplomatic officials

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has said that political matters should be settled on diplomatic channels, not on cricket grounds and such issues must be kept separate from sports.

ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan told Cricbuzz on Saturday (January 8) that they welcome the move taken by England Cricket Board to play their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan later this month despite calls to boycott the game, in response to the Taliban government's crackdown on women's rights.

Last month a group of British lawmakers urged England to boycott the Champions Trophy group stage match against Afghanistan which will be held in Lahore on February 26 while South Africa Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie also supported calls for a boycott.

However, ECB chairman Richard Thompson said they would play the match after discussions with the government along with the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the players while added that the cricketing community alone cannot tackle Afghanistan's problems.

"We welcome the statement from the England Cricket Board. Our goal has always been to compete against full-member nations not only in ICC and major tournaments but also in bilateral events as well. We have operated under challenging circumstances, yet our progress would not have been possible without the unwavering support of member countries, the ICC, and the ACC," Naseeb told Cricbuzz.

"As a sporting entity, the Afghanistan Cricket Board is mandated to identify and develop talent while managing and promoting the game of cricket. This is a responsibility we have diligently upheld over the past 3.5 years. Afghan cricket has achieved unprecedented success, uniting and inspiring our nation despite immense challenges. We remain committed to expanding the game, nurturing talent, and strengthening the institution, as reflected in our national team's remarkable performance," he said.

"We firmly believe that political matters should be resolved through diplomatic channels or on table not in cricket ground and must be kept separate from sports. As a cricket board, our jurisdiction is limited to the game itself, just as it is for other cricket boards worldwide. The Afghan nation has the right to cherish and celebrate cricket as a source of joy and unity after years of hardship," he added.

Naseeb added that they are firmly focused on Champions Trophy at the moment as they are well aware that it will help them grow as a cricketing nation.

"Afghan cricket has grown despite war and challenges, bringing hope and unity to our nation. It has always been a source of pride for our people. Despite the challenges, we have focused on developing cricket and ensuring our team performs at its best. Our success in 2023 and 2024, including qualifying for the Champions Trophy by defeating top teams, reflects our progress," he said.

"As we prepare for the Champions Trophy, our sole objective is to play good cricket and continue demonstrating our growth on the international stage," he said.