"Cricket will continue without interruption" - Taliban say Test match between Afghanistan and Australia will go ahead as planned

The Afghanistan cricket team are scheduled to travel to Australia in November of this year to take part in a one-off Test match. Amid political uncertainties in the Asian nation, questions were raised about the future of Afghan cricket. But as of now, the Taliban have given the green light for the sport to continue in the country.

Ahmadullah Wasiq, deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, said that the Test match between Australia and Afghanistan will proceed according to schedule.

Wasiq told SBS Pashto:

"[All previously organised matches] will continue without interruption, and [the Afghan team] can play with other international teams."

Former Australian Fast bowler Shaun Tait has been appointed Afghanistan National team’s bowling coach with immediate effect.More: https://t.co/vhE5fEVa3H pic.twitter.com/Sf4aXaQQqM

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 9, 2021

He added:

"In the future, we want good relations with all countries. When good relations are established, Afghan players can go [to Australia] and they can come here.”

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Planning for historic Test match against Afghanistan underway: Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia has started making preparations to host Afghanistan for a Test match

Cricket Australia (CA) has already begun making arrangements for Australia's "historic" Test match against Afghanistan. A spokesperson for CA said that planning for the game, which is to be played in Hobart, is underway.

He added that CA and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) are on good terms and aim to make the Test match a reality.

“Cricket Australia’s planning for the historic first Test match between Australia and Afghanistan in Hobart is well underway. There is goodwill between CA and the Afghanistan Cricket Board to make the match happen, which immediately follows the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE in which the Afghanistan team is due to play."

The spokesperson added:

“CA will continue to work with the Australian and Tasmanian governments ahead of the Afghanistan team’s arrival planned for later this year."