Rashid Khan: Cricket Not the Solution to Political Issues

Afghanistan's T20I captain, Rashid Khan, has expressed his disappointment over Cricket Australia's decision to not play Afghanistan bilaterally due to human rights concerns. While acknowledging that sports should bring people together, Rashid emphasized that cricket is not the solution to political issues.

"We are sportsmen, and we love sports," Rashid said. "Cricket is the only source of happiness back home. If we keep that source away from us, I don't know where Afghanistan will remain."

Rashid stressed that Afghanistan's cricketers are eager to play against any side, but they have no control over political decisions. "Some things are not under the control of anyone in cricket," he said. "Wish we could do something, and wish that was a kind of solution for it, we would have been happy."

Rashid's comments come after Cricket Australia postponed a scheduled three-match T20I series with Afghanistan earlier this year. The decision was made due to "a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls" in Afghanistan.

Rashid had initially threatened to withdraw from the Big Bash League in 2023 in protest, but he later softened his stance and put his name up in the drafts. However, he was forced to miss the tournament through injury.

Despite the disappointment, Rashid reiterated that Afghanistan's cricketers are grateful for the support they have received from fans around the world. "I have received so much love from everyone," he said. "Whenever I go to Australia for Big Bash, I think I have got so much love and support from the fans there."

Rashid emphasized that cricket should not be used as a political tool. "Cricket is not the solution for politics," he said. "If there is another solution, you can take that. But don't think cricket is the solution of politics and things like that."

Tags: #AfghanistanCricket, #CricketAustralia, #HumanRights, #RashidKhan, #T20WorldCup