Afghanistan seek members' 'full support' ahead of crucial ICC meeting

International Cricket Council to meet next month to discuss South Asian nation's future following Taliban takeover

Afghanistan players attend a practice session at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on October 17, 2021. AFP

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has requested the support of other full members of the International Cricket Council ahead of next month's crucial meeting where the game's future in the war-torn country will be decided.

Afghanistan's rise to Test status amid the backdrop of a US-led invasion has been cricket's biggest fairytale story in recent times but now risk isolation following the country's Taliban takeover in August.

Cricket Australia (CA) has already indicated it is prepared to scrap next month's historic Test in Hobart between the men's teams if the new government in Kabul did not allow women to play the sport.

The ICC has so far taken a wait-and-watch approach on whether Afghanistan can continue as a full member - allowing it to play Test matches - but will discuss the issue at a board meeting after the T20 World Cup currently underway in the UAE and Oman.

"ACB is committed to work for the development of cricket in the country and hope the ICC full members will provide their support," Afghan board chairman Azizullah Fazli told Reuters.

Fazli said last month the ACB was committed to women's cricket but was awaiting instructions from the Taliban government on its future.

Taliban officials have said they will not repeat the harsh rule of its previous reign, which banned most girls' education and forbade women from going out in public without a male guardian.

CA chief executive Nick Hockley has said the Hobart test was likely to be postponed until there was more clarity on the impact of the Taliban takeover on sports in Afghanistan.

Fazli said he would meet CA officials on the sidelines of the T20 World Cup and try to convince them to continue with the match as scheduled.

"We are in touch with the CA management regarding the Test match, and soon we will meet CA leadership to discuss it and further the friendship of CA and ACB," Fazli added.

Afghanistan will begin their Super 12 stage campaign with an October 25 clash against a qualifier in Sharjah.