"Don’t play them in World Cup": Greg Barclay blasts Australia for boycotting Afghanistan

Outing chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Greg Barclay, has revealed the incident that caused him the most grief during his tenure. He also criticized the Australia National Cricket Team for boycotting the bilateral series against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team.

Greg Barclay's tenure as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) came to an end following Jay Shah was appointed as the new head. The former secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) took over the charge of the global cricket body from 1st December 2024.

If you want to make a political statement, don’t play them in a World Cup - Greg Barclay on Australia not playing with Afghanistan in bilateral series

As he leaves the ICC, Greg Barclay spoke about how Australia not agreeing to play a bilateral series against Australia was the challenging part for him. He criticized the Pat Cummins-led side, saying that if they didn't want to play Afghanistan, then they should've stopped playing in World Cups. Speaking to the Telegraph, he said:

“If you want to make a political statement, don’t play them in a World Cup,” said Barclay. “Sure, it might cost you a semi-final place, but principles are principles. It’s not about having half a principle.”

Greg Barclay also backed Afghanistan, saying that it wasn't their board's fault, claiming that they, too, are working under the decree. He also mentioned that it wouldn't have made any sense to kick the Asian team out and sack their status. He explained:

“It is not the Afghanistan board’s fault. They used to have women’s cricket. I think our approach has been right. It would be easy to kick Afghanistan out, but their board haven’t done anything wrong.

"They’re just working under a decree and a series of laws that says this is what you have to do. I don’t think it would make a jot of difference to the ruling party there to kick them out.”

Cricket Australia denied playing against the Afghanistan after Taliban government banned women from playing sports

This ranges long back after Cricket Australia made a strong statement, saying that they won't be playing the bilateral series against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team. This is because of rules made by the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

They banned women from playing sports, and this didn't go well with Cricket Australia, who denied playing against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team, mentioning that women's rights are equally important. The six-time World Champions canceled the series twice against the Asian Team due to the decision of the Taliban government.

Not only them but also, ECB CEO Richard Gould was on the same page. Although they aren't slated to play against Afghanistan, they mentioned that they would adopt the same policy of Cricket Australia until the ACB changed their stance on women playing cricket.

I think cricket is such a force for good there [in Afghanistan] - Greg Barclay

Greg Barclay further mentioned that cricket is a great source of joy for people in Afghanistan. He hopes for a change in the Taliban government's stance and concluded by saying that it won't be great to take joy from people there.

“Maybe I’m a little naive, but I think cricket is such a force for good there [in Afghanistan], and it brings a lot of joy to a lot of people. It is better to leave it there and hope that it can foster a bit of a change,” Barclay told The Telegraph.

“It’s a real feel-good story – a sport that was played in the refugee camps 25 years ago and now they have played in a World Cup semi-final. Do you really want to turn the tap off?” he concluded.

Also read: "This week in Adelaide...": Michael Vaughan warns India of Pat Cummins as Australia seek revenge