'Not a cricketing matter...' - Rashid Khan breaks silence on Cricket Australia's refusal to play Afghanistan

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan opened up about the Australian National Cricket Team canceling the series against the Afghans. He said that he didn't talk about the same with Australian cricketers as it's a government issue and players cannot do anything about it. 

The Australian cricket team have not been on good terms with the Afghanistan cricket team for the past few years. This is because Cricket Australia canceled their scheduled series with the Asian nation. They recently postponed a three-match T20 International home series. 

Cricket Australia cited that they don't want to play with a nation where there are worsening conditions for women and girls. This, however, was not only the case, they also canceled a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Hobart in November 2021 followed by a three-match ODI series in the UAE.

Since then various Afghanistan cricketers have expressed their disappointment with the same. To worsen the case, they even pulled out of the Big Bash League, stating that they didn't want to play until the Australian team played with them.

Rashid Khan was asked about the same and replying to this, he stated that this thing isn't in his control and he cannot do anything about it. He added that he didn't have an opportunity to talk to Australian cricketers about the same. Speaking to PTI, he explained: 

"Well, I have never discussed it with anybody (Australian cricketers) as I haven't had that opportunity to discuss all those things with them, something which is not in your hands or you have no control about, you can't do anything about it. It's not a cricketing reason or matter that you think about it, it is about two governments' issue and as a player, you can't do anything about it." 

All our players want to cricket as it's the only source of happiness back home - Rashid Khan 

Rashid Khan further added that all his teammates want to play cricket as it's the only source of happiness for people in Afghanistan. He added that they are giving everything to keep their home fans happy. Talking about the same, he explained: 

"All our players want to play cricket as it's the only source of happiness back home in Afghanistan. If you take that source, there's nothing else left which people could celebrate. For us, we are trying our best to play cricket and bring happiness to the country and that's something which we are focused on. Other than that, something that is not under your control, you cannot do anything about it. We try to play cricket and represent the country." 

Rashid Khan is currently playing for Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024. The all-rounder has been brilliant with the bat and ball and will be key for his team in the tournament. He won the Man of the Match in the team's last game. He oozed his class with both bat and ball and helped his team win the game and bag two important points.