Afghanistan, the country rocked by recent turmoil, could face further agony if their cricket team plays the T20 World Cup under Taliban flag.
According to various reports if they go ahead and play the mega event under Taliban flag International Cricket Council (ICC) can ban the team from participating in the event and suspend them as well.
The Taliban group earlier had made it clear that they will allow the senior men’s cricket team to function without any interference from their end.
Taliban recently appointed new CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
Why Afghanistan Cricket Team faces ban from T20 World Cup?
As per ICC rules, each team has to submit the flag that they want to play under. This is usually a routine procedure but it isn’t a problem but in this case, Afghanistan will face repercussions if they decide to play under the Taliban flag as the ICC would be under pressure to clear its stance over the situation in the war torn country.
The ICC might set up a meeting if the Afghans decide to play under Taliban flag, where they could decide to suspend the cricket team.
The Afghans are also under pressure over the current status of their women’s national team. According to the ICC rules, full members must have a national women’s team. Taliban have stated that they won’t allow women sports of any kind in the country and effectively banned the women’s national cricket team.
If the governing body decided to exclude Afghanistan from T20 World Cup, it could have severe consequences on the future of the game in the country.
It is also reported that if 12 of the 17 board members decided to suspend Afghanistan’s membership over the current state of affairs, the apex board would be forced to do so.