“Personally Think We Should Be Playing”: Usman Khawaja on Australia-Afghanistan Bilateral Cricket

Australia’s star batsman Usman Khawaja has voiced his opinion on the ongoing debate surrounding bilateral cricket between Australia and Afghanistan, stating that he personally believes the two nations should be playing each other.

The issue has been in the spotlight following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Afghanistan’s membership due to the Taliban’s policies on women’s participation in sports, some countries, including Australia, have opted to cease bilateral cricket relations with the nation.

In a recent interview, Khawaja expressed his personal view on the matter, stating, “Personally, I think we should be playing them. It’s a really tough situation. You’ve got to understand, these guys are just trying to play cricket. They’re not making these rules.”

He further emphasized the importance of separating the sport from politics, highlighting the impact on the Afghan players who are caught in the middle of a complex situation. “We have to look at the players, and they are just trying to make a living, trying to make their country proud,” Khawaja said.

While acknowledging the challenges presented by the Taliban’s policies, Khawaja believes that continuing to engage with Afghan cricketers through bilateral cricket could play a positive role in promoting change and fostering a sense of normalcy for the players. “I think it’s important to keep playing and keep engaging with them,” he added.

Khawaja’s comments have sparked further debate surrounding the issue, with some supporting his stance and others maintaining that bilateral cricket should remain suspended until the Taliban ensures a safe and inclusive environment for women’s participation in sports.

The Australian government has yet to announce a definitive decision regarding the resumption of bilateral cricket with Afghanistan. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Khawaja’s perspective will influence the final decision.

Keywords: Usman Khawaja, Australia, Afghanistan, bilateral cricket, Taliban, ICC, women’s participation, sports, politics, debate, engagement, change.