<p>Sports was among the first things to get affected in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over the country. Now, former chief Azizullah Fazli has been named acting chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fazli earlier served as ACB chairman from September 2018 to July 2019.</p>

<p>"Former ACB Chairman @AzizullahFazli has been re-appointed as ACB's acting Chairman. He will oversee ACB's leadership and course of action for the upcoming competitions," the ACB tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Former ACB Chairman <a href="https://twitter.com/AzizullahFazli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AzizullahFazli</a> has been re-appointed as ACB's acting Chairman. He will oversee ACB's leadership and course of action for the upcoming competitions. <a href="https://t.co/IRqekHq7Jt">pic.twitter.com/IRqekHq7Jt</a></p>
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACBofficials/status/1429380457410531332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Recently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board head of media operations Hikmat Hassan also weighed in on women's cricket and said that the Taliban "don't have any issue or problem with cricket" but the fate of women's cricket programmes, however, remains unclear.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Taliban don't have any issue or problem with cricket, and they have told us that we can continue our work as planned," said Hassan as quoted by Reuters. He added that the team was ready for three one day matches against Pakistan next month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have completed our two training camps in Kabul and we have sponsors, a production team, and even the kit ready."</p>

<p>Amid the ongoing political crisis, the board has confirmed a one-day series against Pakistan will go ahead in Sri Lanka next month and said it was expanding the "Shpageeza" Twenty20 league competition.</p>


Sports was among the first things to get affected in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over the country. Now, former chief Azizullah Fazli has been named acting chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday.

Sports was among the first things to get affected in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over the country. Now, former chief Azizullah Fazli has been named acting chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday. Fazli earlier served as ACB chairman from September 2018 to July 2019. "Former ACB Chairman @AzizullahFazli has been re-appointed as ACB's acting Chairman. He will oversee ACB's leadership and course of action for the upcoming competitions," the ACB tweeted. Former ACB Chairman @AzizullahFazli has been re-appointed as ACB's acting Chairman. He will oversee ACB's leadership and course of action for the upcoming competitions. pic.twitter.com/IRqekHq7Jt — Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 22, 2021 × Recently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board head of media operations Hikmat Hassan also weighed in on women's cricket and said that the Taliban "don't have any issue or problem with cricket" but the fate of women's cricket programmes, however, remains unclear. "The Taliban don't have any issue or problem with cricket, and they have told us that we can continue our work as planned," said Hassan as quoted by Reuters. He added that the team was ready for three one day matches against Pakistan next month. "We have completed our two training camps in Kabul and we have sponsors, a production team, and even the kit ready." Amid the ongoing political crisis, the board has confirmed a one-day series against Pakistan will go ahead in Sri Lanka next month and said it was expanding the "Shpageeza" Twenty20 league competition.

Azizullah Fazli re-appointed as Afghanistan Cricket Board's acting Chairman

Spirit of sport: Afghanistan's cricket team attends training session in Kabul - see pics

<p>The future of sports in Afghanistan remains uncertain — especially the participation of women since the Taliban took over Kabul after routing government forces in order to end two decades of war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From Paralympics to football, female athletes have opened up on the current situation in Afghanistan and how it might impact their future.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Recently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board head of media operations Hikmat Hassan also weighed in on the same and said that the Taliban "don't have any issue or problem with cricket" but the fate of women's cricket programmes, however, remains unclear.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-feel-miserable-afghan-karate-champion-fears-its-game-over-for-female-athletes-407109">'I feel miserable': Afghan karate champion fears it's game over for female athletes</a></strong></p>

<p><img alt="Hikmat Hassan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7212676-d34a-49e5-9447-668f9f35e27b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ffff.PNG" /></p>

<p>"The Taliban don't have any issue or problem with cricket, and they have told us that we can continue our work as planned," said Hassan as quoted by Reuters. He added that the team was ready for three one day matches against Pakistan next month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have completed our two training camps in Kabul and we have sponsors, a production team, and even the kit ready."</p>

<p>Amid the ongoing political crisis, the board has confirmed a one-day series against Pakistan will go ahead in Sri Lanka next month and said it was expanding the "Shpageeza" Twenty20 league competition.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hindukush Stars and Pamir Zalmiyan franchises inducted into the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shpageeza?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shpageeza</a> Cricket League as, for the first time in its history, the League will have 8 teams instead of six. The ownership rights were sold today amid a ceremony held at ACB.<br />
<br />
More: <a href="https://t.co/tQPZzxNqmq">https://t.co/tQPZzxNqmq</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCL2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCL2021</a> <a href="https://t.co/VizqhxJXdc">pic.twitter.com/VizqhxJXdc</a></p>
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACBofficials/status/1428324420658114568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL) 2021 signing ceremony. Eight franchises have been sold. We will launch it next month, In ShaaAllah <a href="https://t.co/rh5Ty7RCeg">pic.twitter.com/rh5Ty7RCeg</a></p>
— Hamid Shinwari (@hamidshinwari03) <a href="https://twitter.com/hamidshinwari03/status/1428377642282143751?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/after-talibans-takeover-former-afghan-womens-football-captain-urges-players-to-burn-kits-406926">After Taliban's takeover, former Afghan women's football captain urges players to burn kits</a></strong></p>

<p>The official also said that the team should be able to play in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October-November.</p>

<p>"We are confident we will be able to take part and will be preparing for it over the coming weeks. I don't think there will be a problem," Hassan said.</p>

<p>However, when it comes to women in sports, there isn't any update yet and the future of the women's cricket programmes run by the ACB, which currently has 25 contracted female cricketers and several programmes for girls, remains uncertain.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Hundreds of Afghans fleeing Afghanistan face tough situations</strong></p>

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<p>It is worth noting that women have also been assured their rights will be respected and that the Taliban will be "positively different" from their brutal 1996-2001 rule.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Under the militants' hardline 1996-2001 rule, girls' schools were closed, women were prevented from travelling and working and were forced to wear an all-covering burqa in public.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(with inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The future of sports in Afghanistan remains uncertain — especially the participation of women since the Taliban took over Kabul after routing government forces in order to end two decades of war.

The future of sports in Afghanistan remains uncertain — especially the participation of women since the Taliban took over Kabul after routing government forces in order to end two decades of war. From Paralympics to football, female athletes have opened up on the current situation in Afghanistan and how it might impact their future. Recently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board head of media operations Hikmat Hassan also weighed in on the same and said that the Taliban "don't have any issue or problem with cricket" but the fate of women's cricket programmes, however, remains unclear. ALSO READ | 'I feel miserable': Afghan karate champion fears it's game over for female athletes "The Taliban don't have any issue or problem with cricket, and they have told us that we can continue our work as planned," said Hassan as quoted by Reuters. He added that the team was ready for three one day matches against Pakistan next month. "We have completed our two training camps in Kabul and we have sponsors, a production team, and even the kit ready." Amid the ongoing political crisis, the board has confirmed a one-day series against Pakistan will go ahead in Sri Lanka next month and said it was expanding the "Shpageeza" Twenty20 league competition. Hindukush Stars and Pamir Zalmiyan franchises inducted into the #Shpageeza Cricket League as, for the first time in its history, the League will have 8 teams instead of six. The ownership rights were sold today amid a ceremony held at ACB. More: https://t.co/tQPZzxNqmq#SCL2021 pic.twitter.com/VizqhxJXdc — Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 19, 2021 × Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL) 2021 signing ceremony. Eight franchises have been sold. We will launch it next month, In ShaaAllah pic.twitter.com/rh5Ty7RCeg — Hamid Shinwari (@hamidshinwari03) August 19, 2021 × ALSO READ | After Taliban's takeover, former Afghan women's football captain urges players to burn kits The official also said that the team should be able to play in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October-November. "We are confident we will be able to take part and will be preparing for it over the coming weeks. I don't think there will be a problem," Hassan said. However, when it comes to women in sports, there isn't any update yet and the future of the women's cricket programmes run by the ACB, which currently has 25 contracted female cricketers and several programmes for girls, remains uncertain. Watch: Hundreds of Afghans fleeing Afghanistan face tough situations × It is worth noting that women have also been assured their rights will be respected and that the Taliban will be "positively different" from their brutal 1996-2001 rule. Under the militants' hardline 1996-2001 rule, girls' schools were closed, women were prevented from travelling and working and were forced to wear an all-covering burqa in public. (with inputs from agencies)

Taliban 'don't have any issue' with cricket; but status of smaller women's programmes unclear

<p>With the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, the fate of women in the nation has become a major concern. Taliban rule is based on Sharia Laws, which would have a negative influence on women's rights in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-is-the-most-foul-mouthed-individual-tweets-former-england-cricketer-later-deletes-it-406827" hreflang="en">'Virat Kohli is the most foul mouthed individual', tweets former England cricketer; later deletes it</a></p>

<p>The International Cricket Council (ICC) is also taking a close look at the situation in Afghanistan and tracking the potential changes in Afghanistan’s women’s cricket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a report in CricBuzz, the ICC HQ in Abu Dhabi are in contact with Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in Kabul to try and “fully understand the impact of changes” in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“That was a massive development. We don’t know what now,” a source in ICC women’s cricket told Cricbuzz.</p>

<p>The Sharia law could dismantle the women's cricket team of Afghanistan and affecting the full membership status with ICC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ICC has a policy that a full member of the board should have a men's and women's team and not having a women's team could cost Afghanistan the full membership that they attained in 2017.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Afghanistan Cricket Board's Shafiqullah Stanikzai is optimistic about the growth of cricket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Cricket in Afghanistan began from refugee camps and we have come a long way. With very limited resources, we climbed our way up to full membership. I hope and pray that cricket in Afghanistan continues to grow. For us, it is beyond a sport, a game. Cricket has given us an identity making the image of Afghans around the world optimistic. Through cricket, we convinced the global community to invest in our talent and in Afghan youth. I hope this continues,” Stanikzai told Cricbuzz.</p>


With the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, the fate of women in the nation has become a major concern. Taliban rule is based on Sharia Laws, which would have a negative influence on women's rights in the country.

With the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, the fate of women in the nation has become a major concern. Taliban rule is based on Sharia Laws, which would have a negative influence on women's rights in the country. ALSO READ: 'Virat Kohli is the most foul mouthed individual', tweets former England cricketer; later deletes it The International Cricket Council (ICC) is also taking a close look at the situation in Afghanistan and tracking the potential changes in Afghanistan’s women’s cricket. According to a report in CricBuzz, the ICC HQ in Abu Dhabi are in contact with Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in Kabul to try and “fully understand the impact of changes” in the country. “That was a massive development. We don’t know what now,” a source in ICC women’s cricket told Cricbuzz. The Sharia law could dismantle the women's cricket team of Afghanistan and affecting the full membership status with ICC. The ICC has a policy that a full member of the board should have a men's and women's team and not having a women's team could cost Afghanistan the full membership that they attained in 2017. However, Afghanistan Cricket Board's Shafiqullah Stanikzai is optimistic about the growth of cricket. “Cricket in Afghanistan began from refugee camps and we have come a long way. With very limited resources, we climbed our way up to full membership. I hope and pray that cricket in Afghanistan continues to grow. For us, it is beyond a sport, a game. Cricket has given us an identity making the image of Afghans around the world optimistic. Through cricket, we convinced the global community to invest in our talent and in Afghan youth. I hope this continues,” Stanikzai told Cricbuzz.

After Taliban takeover, can Afghan Cricket Board lose ICC's full membership?

<p>In what can be termed as unusual incident in franchise cricket, 40-year-old owner of Kabul Eagles made his T20 debut in the ongoing Afghanistan’s Shpageeza Cricket League for his team in a match this week. Abudl Latif Ayobi, the owner of Kabul Eagles franchise, bowled one over while giving away 16 runs but was banned from the remainder of the tournament by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for misbehaving a day after the incident took place.</p>

<p>Ayoubi was in the playing XI for his team Kabul Eagles in the match against Speen Ghar Tigers on September 13 with the latter posting 142-8 in 20 overs which included the one over by the Kabul Eagles owner Ayoubi, who conceded 16. Eagles went onto win the match as they chase down the target in 17.5 overs.</p>

<p>According to ACB, Ayoubi was banned from attending the remained of the tournament after violating “Articles 9 &amp;18 of the ACB Disciplinary Code, which deals with “misbehaviour with Staff or players, using foul language &amp; damaging property.”</p>

<p><strong>IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ipl-2020-updated-squad-list-of-all-the-franchises-retained-and-bought-players-326654" hreflang="en">IPL 2020: Updated squad list of all franchises; retained and bought players</a></strong></p>

<p>“@TheKabulEagles franchise owner Ab.Latif Ayobi is banned from attending the remainder of #Etisalat4GSCL2020 &amp; fined 30000 AFNs for violation of Articles 9 &amp;18 of the ACB Disciplinary Code which deals with misbehavior with Staff or players, using foul language &amp; damaging property,” Afghanistan Cricket Board tweeted on September 14.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/TheKabulEagles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheKabulEagles</a> franchise owner Ab.Latif Ayobi is banned from attending the remainder of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Etisalat4GSCL2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Etisalat4GSCL2020</a> &amp; fined 30000 AFNs for violation of Articles 9 &amp;18 of the ACB Disciplinary Code which deals with misbehavior with Staff or players, using foul language &amp; damaging property.</p>
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACBofficials/status/1305488447537401856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, Kabul Eagles went on to defeat Mis-e-Ainak Knights in the summit clash to win the Shpageeza Cricket League 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rohit-sharma-and-jasprit-bumrah-involve-in-fun-banter-on-twitter-ahead-of-ipl-2020-327986">Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah involve in fun banter on Twitter ahead of IPL</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WATCH: The moments when the <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKabulEagles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheKabulEagles</a> became the CHAMPIONS of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Etisalat4GSCL2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Etisalat4GSCL2020</a> !<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Final?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Final</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DaAtalanoLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DaAtalanoLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KEvMEAK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KEvMEAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/AwEFTCFaDx">pic.twitter.com/AwEFTCFaDx</a></p>
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACBofficials/status/1306206891454988290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


In what can be termed as unusual incident in franchise cricket, 40-year-old owner of Kabul Eagles made his T20 debut in the ongoing Afghanistan’s Shpageeza Cricket League for his team in a match this week.

In what can be termed as unusual incident in franchise cricket, 40-year-old owner of Kabul Eagles made his T20 debut in the ongoing Afghanistan’s Shpageeza Cricket League for his team in a match this week. Abudl Latif Ayobi, the owner of Kabul Eagles franchise, bowled one over while giving away 16 runs but was banned from the remainder of the tournament by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for misbehaving a day after the incident took place. Ayoubi was in the playing XI for his team Kabul Eagles in the match against Speen Ghar Tigers on September 13 with the latter posting 142-8 in 20 overs which included the one over by the Kabul Eagles owner Ayoubi, who conceded 16. Eagles went onto win the match as they chase down the target in 17.5 overs. According to ACB, Ayoubi was banned from attending the remained of the tournament after violating “Articles 9 &18 of the ACB Disciplinary Code, which deals with “misbehaviour with Staff or players, using foul language & damaging property.” IN PICS | IPL 2020: Updated squad list of all franchises; retained and bought players “@TheKabulEagles franchise owner Ab.Latif Ayobi is banned from attending the remainder of #Etisalat4GSCL2020 & fined 30000 AFNs for violation of Articles 9 &18 of the ACB Disciplinary Code which deals with misbehavior with Staff or players, using foul language & damaging property,” Afghanistan Cricket Board tweeted on September 14. @TheKabulEagles franchise owner Ab.Latif Ayobi is banned from attending the remainder of #Etisalat4GSCL2020 & fined 30000 AFNs for violation of Articles 9 &18 of the ACB Disciplinary Code which deals with misbehavior with Staff or players, using foul language & damaging property. — Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 14, 2020 × Meanwhile, Kabul Eagles went on to defeat Mis-e-Ainak Knights in the summit clash to win the Shpageeza Cricket League 2020. ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah involve in fun banter on Twitter ahead of IPL WATCH: The moments when the @TheKabulEagles became the CHAMPIONS of #Etisalat4GSCL2020 !#Final #DaAtalanoLeague #KEvMEAK pic.twitter.com/AwEFTCFaDx — Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 16, 2020 ×

Team owner debuts in  Afghanistan's Shpageeza Cricket League, gets banned for misbehaviour by ACB