(AP Photo)
Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia, commended the Afghanistan men’s cricket team for their historic victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024. He also discussed the potential for Australia to engage in a bilateral series with Afghanistan in the future. Hockley mentioned that CA had previously postponed a couple of series with Afghanistan due to human rights concerns but maintains a close relationship with the Afghanistan Cricket Board. He expressed optimism about the possibility of both teams competing against each other soon.
In the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024 held in St. Vincent on June 23, Afghanistan achieved a significant 21-run victory over the Australian team. After setting a target of 148 runs with six wickets down in their 20 overs, Afghanistan bowled out the Mitchell Marsh-led side for 127 runs in 19.1 overs, marking their maiden triumph over the most successful team in men’s cricket history.
During an online press conference organized by CA on Wednesday, Hockley said, “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Afghanistan on their win. They had a fantastic tournament with phenomenal players and played with great passion.”
“Regarding our bilateral matches, we have consulted extensively with stakeholders, including the Australian government, and chose to postpone our last couple of series with Afghanistan on human rights grounds. We maintain a close relationship and regular dialogue with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and want to see cricket thrive worldwide for both men and women. We hope for progress and will continue to discuss and maintain contact with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, aiming to resume bilateral cricket against Afghanistan in the future,” he added.
Australia has encountered Afghanistan on four occasions in ODIs and twice in T20Is. Apart from their defeat against the Rashid Khan-led side in the T20 World Cup 2024 match held in St. Vincent last month, Australia has emerged victorious in all five encounters.
During the recent T20 World Cup 2024, Australia won all four of their Group B matches. However, they missed out on a spot in the semi-finals despite their group stage success, finishing third behind India and Afghanistan in the Super 8 stage.