Afghanistan is in total&nbsp;mayhem ever since the Taliban group took over from the government. Since then, a series of bomb blasts near the Kabul airport led to the killing of several, many have managed to leave the troubled country whereas some are facing oppression.&nbsp;

While the Taliban invasion meant uncertainty for all in terms of their future in the country, as they remain perplexed on how to adapt and live in their homeland, the terror outfit gave green signal for the cricketing activities to continue for the men's national team. At the same time, they snatched away the freedom of the women's team, not allowing them to continue with the sport.

Amid all this, news came that Afghanistan's scheduled one-off Test versus Australia, in Hobart, in November will go ahead as planned. However, the Cricket Australia (CA) have now released a statement, revealing their stance on the one-off Test. It says that they will have to cancel the historic Test if Taliban bans women's cricket in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

"Driving the growth of women’s cricket globally is incredibly important to Cricket Australia," the statement from CA read.

"Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level. If recent media reports that women’s cricket will not be supported in Afghanistan are substantiated, Cricket Australia would have no alternative but to not host Afghanistan for the proposed Test Match due to be played in Hobart. We thank the Australian and Tasmanian Governments for their support on this important issue."

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An update on the proposed Test match against Afghanistan ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/p2q5LOJMlw">pic.twitter.com/p2q5LOJMlw</a>
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As per the International Cricket Council's (ICC) regulations, the nations that are granted Test status&nbsp;are required to field both men's and women's teams. Thus, it is expected that even the ICC will have to step up sooner than later to take a call on Afghanistan's status as a full member if the women's team future remains in jeopardy.

Afghanistan is in total mayhem ever since the Taliban group took over from the government. Since then, a series of bomb blasts near the Kabul airport led to the killing of several, many have managed to leave the troubled country whereas some are facing oppression.

Afghanistan is in total mayhem ever since the Taliban group took over from the government. Since then, a series of bomb blasts near the Kabul airport led to the killing of several, many have managed to leave the troubled country whereas some are facing oppression. While the Taliban invasion meant uncertainty for all in terms of their future in the country, as they remain perplexed on how to adapt and live in their homeland, the terror outfit gave green signal for the cricketing activities to continue for the men's national team. At the same time, they snatched away the freedom of the women's team, not allowing them to continue with the sport. Amid all this, news came that Afghanistan's scheduled one-off Test versus Australia, in Hobart, in November will go ahead as planned. However, the Cricket Australia (CA) have now released a statement, revealing their stance on the one-off Test. It says that they will have to cancel the historic Test if Taliban bans women's cricket in Afghanistan. "Driving the growth of women’s cricket globally is incredibly important to Cricket Australia," the statement from CA read. "Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level. If recent media reports that women’s cricket will not be supported in Afghanistan are substantiated, Cricket Australia would have no alternative but to not host Afghanistan for the proposed Test Match due to be played in Hobart. We thank the Australian and Tasmanian Governments for their support on this important issue." An update on the proposed Test match against Afghanistan ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/p2q5LOJMlw — Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) September 9, 2021 × As per the International Cricket Council's (ICC) regulations, the nations that are granted Test status are required to field both men's and women's teams. Thus, it is expected that even the ICC will have to step up sooner than later to take a call on Afghanistan's status as a full member if the women's team future remains in jeopardy.

Afghanistan-Australia Test to be cancelled? CA threatens to call off historic tie if Taliban bans women's cricket

Amid&nbsp;fighting in Afghanistan, reports said at least 1,000 Afghan troops have fled to Tajikistan after facing defeat against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/talibanned-from-kite-running-to-breakdancing-afghan-pastimes-again-under-threat-395920">Taliban</a>&nbsp;even as US troops continue to their pullout.

The Taliban has been seizing territories in the northern region even as US troops handed over Bagram airbase to Afghan security forces. According to Tajikistan's national security committee, over 1,000 Afghan troops fled after the clashes.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-captures-key-districts-in-afghanistan-300-military-troops-flee-to-tajikistan-395934/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There were earlier reports of Afghan troops crossing over to Tajikstan, however, on Sunday Afghan forces retreated in big numbers. Taliban took over six districts in northern Badakshan province bordering Tajikistan and China, including Takhar provinces.

The northern region was a traditional stronghold of the anti-Taliban forces in the 90s. Reports had earlier said the Afghan forces were due to launch a counterattack.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had earlier spoken to&nbsp;Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmon to discuss the issue with the escalation of the situation in Afghanistan's northern areas being the main agenda of the discussion.

The White House had said on Friday that the US troop pullout would be complete by the end of August. President Joe Biden had set September 11 as the final departure date of the complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

As the US troops left Bagram, the Taliban said: "Afghans can get closer to stability and peace with the full withdrawal of foreign forces."

The US has however said it would be assisting Afghanistan and would provide $3 billion security cover in 2022 even as the Taliban refuse to declare a ceasefire as districts keep falling with peace talks stalling in Doha.

Reports said the Taliban is closing in on Kandahar and Helmand with some districts on the outskirts already taken by the militants.

Meanwhile, Russia's foreign ministry said that its consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan was being suspended over&nbsp;security concerns.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

Amid fighting in Afghanistan, reports said at least 1,000 Afghan troops have fled to Tajikistan after facing defeat against the Taliban even as US troops continue to their pullout.

Amid fighting in Afghanistan, reports said at least 1,000 Afghan troops have fled to Tajikistan after facing defeat against the Taliban even as US troops continue to their pullout. The Taliban has been seizing territories in the northern region even as US troops handed over Bagram airbase to Afghan security forces. According to Tajikistan's national security committee, over 1,000 Afghan troops fled after the clashes. Watch: There were earlier reports of Afghan troops crossing over to Tajikstan, however, on Sunday Afghan forces retreated in big numbers. Taliban took over six districts in northern Badakshan province bordering Tajikistan and China, including Takhar provinces. The northern region was a traditional stronghold of the anti-Taliban forces in the 90s. Reports had earlier said the Afghan forces were due to launch a counterattack. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had earlier spoken to Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmon to discuss the issue with the escalation of the situation in Afghanistan's northern areas being the main agenda of the discussion. The White House had said on Friday that the US troop pullout would be complete by the end of August. President Joe Biden had set September 11 as the final departure date of the complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. As the US troops left Bagram, the Taliban said: "Afghans can get closer to stability and peace with the full withdrawal of foreign forces." The US has however said it would be assisting Afghanistan and would provide $3 billion security cover in 2022 even as the Taliban refuse to declare a ceasefire as districts keep falling with peace talks stalling in Doha. Reports said the Taliban is closing in on Kandahar and Helmand with some districts on the outskirts already taken by the militants. Meanwhile, Russia's foreign ministry said that its consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan was being suspended over security concerns. (With inputs from Agencies)

Hundreds of Afghan troops flee to Tajikistan as Taliban advances

Fierce fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban killed dozens in a restive eastern province, officials said Thursday, as negotiators from both sides pushed ahead with peace talks in Qatar.

Overnight clashes erupted in three districts of Nangarhar province when Taliban fighters attacked several checkpoints of Afghan forces and pro-government militiamen, Ataullah Khogyani, spokesman for the Nangarhar governor told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-facing-new-afghanistan-women-negotiators-amid-peace-talks-327305">‘Taliban facing new Afghanistan’: Women negotiators amid peace talks&nbsp;</a>

He said at least 11 Afghan security personnel were killed in fighting in Hesarak, while eight pro-government militiamen were killed in Khogyani.

Khogyani said about 30 Taliban fighters died in the clashes -- including some foreigners.

The hardline insurgent group has not commented on the fighting.

The latest violence comes as the Afghan government and Taliban are engaged in talks in Doha aimed at ending the long-running conflict.

Afghanistan's acting Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid blamed the Taliban for the fighting.

"There have been no attacks from our side... The enemies continue to attack and spill the blood of Afghans," he said at a ceremony where US forces handed over four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to the Afghan military.

New ceasefire call unheeded&nbsp;

Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the peace process for the Afghan government, said the ongoing talks offered an opportunity to end the war.

The two warring sides are at the negotiating table, a first in the three decades since the Taliban emerged as a movement across Afghanistan, Abdullah said.

"We recognise the need to get together, to sit together, to present our views which are different from one another, but to find ways how to reconcile those differences," Abdullah told Doha-based Al-Jazeera TV in an interview released on Thursday.

He said negotiations aim to "find ways to be able (to) live together while maintaining some differences and fighting for it politically rather than through violence".

In his speech at the opening session of the peace talks on Saturday, Abdullah had called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, but his plea has gone unanswered.

The Taliban have long worried that reducing violence could lessen their leverage, but have implemented two temporary ceasefires this year itself.

Peace talks commenced on Saturday after months of delay over a contentious prisoner swap between the two sides.

The negotiations are a result of a deal between the Taliban and Washington signed in February, which also paved the way for withdrawing of all foreign forces by May next year. 
&nbsp;

Fierce fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban killed dozens in a restive eastern province, officials said Thursday, as negotiators from both sides pushed ahead with peace talks in Qatar.

Fierce fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban killed dozens in a restive eastern province, officials said Thursday, as negotiators from both sides pushed ahead with peace talks in Qatar. Overnight clashes erupted in three districts of Nangarhar province when Taliban fighters attacked several checkpoints of Afghan forces and pro-government militiamen, Ataullah Khogyani, spokesman for the Nangarhar governor told AFP. Also read | ‘Taliban facing new Afghanistan’: Women negotiators amid peace talks He said at least 11 Afghan security personnel were killed in fighting in Hesarak, while eight pro-government militiamen were killed in Khogyani. Khogyani said about 30 Taliban fighters died in the clashes -- including some foreigners. The hardline insurgent group has not commented on the fighting. The latest violence comes as the Afghan government and Taliban are engaged in talks in Doha aimed at ending the long-running conflict. Afghanistan's acting Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid blamed the Taliban for the fighting. "There have been no attacks from our side... The enemies continue to attack and spill the blood of Afghans," he said at a ceremony where US forces handed over four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to the Afghan military. New ceasefire call unheeded Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the peace process for the Afghan government, said the ongoing talks offered an opportunity to end the war. The two warring sides are at the negotiating table, a first in the three decades since the Taliban emerged as a movement across Afghanistan, Abdullah said. "We recognise the need to get together, to sit together, to present our views which are different from one another, but to find ways how to reconcile those differences," Abdullah told Doha-based Al-Jazeera TV in an interview released on Thursday. He said negotiations aim to "find ways to be able (to) live together while maintaining some differences and fighting for it politically rather than through violence". In his speech at the opening session of the peace talks on Saturday, Abdullah had called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, but his plea has gone unanswered. The Taliban have long worried that reducing violence could lessen their leverage, but have implemented two temporary ceasefires this year itself. Peace talks commenced on Saturday after months of delay over a contentious prisoner swap between the two sides. The negotiations are a result of a deal between the Taliban and Washington signed in February, which also paved the way for withdrawing of all foreign forces by May next year.

Afghanistan: Over 50 people die in clashes with Taliban as Doha peace talks continue

Twenty-seven Taliban terrorists have been killed and 16 others injured in an armed confrontation in the Afghan province of Kandahar, the 20 "Atal" Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA) said on Thursday.

According to the army officials, the Taliban mounted attacks on checkpoints in the Kalankecha, Moshan and Maiwand districts last night.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-15-taliban-terrorists-killed-in-airstrike-313767">Afghanistan: 15 Taliban terrorists killed in airstrike</a>

"After the attacks, a heavy clash took place between the ANA forces and the Taliban insurgents, in which 27 insurgents were killed, and 16 others were wounded," corps spokesman Ahmad Sadiq Issa said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-faces-grim-economic-outlook-as-pandemic-wipes-out-growth-world-bank-313765">Afghanistan faces 'grim' economic outlook as pandemic wipes out growth: World Bank</a>

He added that none of the ANA troops had been hurt in the clash.

The violence in the country is raging on amid the attempts by the Kabul government and the Taliban to launch intra-Afghan peace negotiations, which hinge on a successful prisoner swap between the sides.

Twenty-seven Taliban terrorists have been killed and 16 others injured in an armed confrontation in the Afghan province of Kandahar, the 20 "Atal" Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA) said on Thursday.

Twenty-seven Taliban terrorists have been killed and 16 others injured in an armed confrontation in the Afghan province of Kandahar, the 20 "Atal" Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA) said on Thursday. According to the army officials, the Taliban mounted attacks on checkpoints in the Kalankecha, Moshan and Maiwand districts last night. Also read| Afghanistan: 15 Taliban terrorists killed in airstrike "After the attacks, a heavy clash took place between the ANA forces and the Taliban insurgents, in which 27 insurgents were killed, and 16 others were wounded," corps spokesman Ahmad Sadiq Issa said. Also read: Afghanistan faces 'grim' economic outlook as pandemic wipes out growth: World Bank He added that none of the ANA troops had been hurt in the clash. The violence in the country is raging on amid the attempts by the Kabul government and the Taliban to launch intra-Afghan peace negotiations, which hinge on a successful prisoner swap between the sides.

27 Taliban terrorists killed, 16 injured in Afghanistan

Amid the Afghanistan-Taliban peace talks, Taliban had handed over a list of prisoners they wanted the Afghan government to release, and the Afghan government, too, had asked for release of the captivated soldiers.

As the&nbsp;Afghan government is slowly releasing selected prisoners, Taliban has also started releasing the captivated soldiers. On Monday, Taliban released 14 Afghan soldiers and policemen in several provinces across the country, Taliban spokesman confirmed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/western-powers-support-afghanistans-decision-to-not-release-taliban-prisoners-307334">Also read|&nbsp;Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners</a>

"Another group of 14 soldiers and policemen of the Kabul Administration were released from prisons of the Islamic Emirate in Logar, Nangarhar and Nooristan provinces and sent to their families," Suheil Shaheen wrote on Twitter.

In another tweet, Shaheen said that the head of the Taliban's political office, Baradar Akhund, met with United Nations Assistance Missions in Afghanistan chief Deborah Lyons in Qatar's capital Doha to discuss about the release of the remaining prisoners and the commencement of intra-Afghan talks.

The Afghan government has already released 3,000 out of the 5,000 said prisoners. However, the government is contemplating about releasing few hundreds of the high-profile prisoners, as they are believed to be responsible for some of the most violent attacks.

Amid the Afghanistan-Taliban peace talks, Taliban had handed over a list of prisoners they wanted the Afghan government to release, and the Afghan government, too, had asked for release of the captivated soldiers.

Amid the Afghanistan-Taliban peace talks, Taliban had handed over a list of prisoners they wanted the Afghan government to release, and the Afghan government, too, had asked for release of the captivated soldiers. As the Afghan government is slowly releasing selected prisoners, Taliban has also started releasing the captivated soldiers. On Monday, Taliban released 14 Afghan soldiers and policemen in several provinces across the country, Taliban spokesman confirmed. Also read| Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners "Another group of 14 soldiers and policemen of the Kabul Administration were released from prisons of the Islamic Emirate in Logar, Nangarhar and Nooristan provinces and sent to their families," Suheil Shaheen wrote on Twitter. In another tweet, Shaheen said that the head of the Taliban's political office, Baradar Akhund, met with United Nations Assistance Missions in Afghanistan chief Deborah Lyons in Qatar's capital Doha to discuss about the release of the remaining prisoners and the commencement of intra-Afghan talks. The Afghan government has already released 3,000 out of the 5,000 said prisoners. However, the government is contemplating about releasing few hundreds of the high-profile prisoners, as they are believed to be responsible for some of the most violent attacks.

Taliban releases 14 hostages amid prisoner-release agreement

Shocking death tolls have emerged after the Ashraf Ghani government in Afghanistan ramped up attacks on the Taliban. Watch report.

Drastic increase in attacks on civilians in Afghanistan

As many 140 Afghan soldiers were killed on Friday by Taliban attackers apparently disguised in military uniforms in what would be the deadliest attack ever on an Afghan military base, officials said.

One official in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, where the attack occurred, said on Saturday at least 140 soldiers were killed and many others wounded. Other officials said the toll was likely to be even higher.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the government has yet to release official casualty figures.

A US&nbsp;official in Washington on Friday had put the toll at more than 50 killed and wounded.

As many as 10 Taliban fighters, dressed in Afghan army uniforms and driving military vehicles, talked their way onto the base and opened fire on soldiers eating dinner and leaving a mosque after Friday prayers, according to officials. The attackers used rocket-propelled grenades and rifles, they said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement on Saturday the attack was retribution for the recent killing of several senior Taliban leaders in northern Afghanistan.

The NATO-led military coalition deploys advisers to the base where the attack occurred to train and assist the Afghan forces but coalition officials said no international troops were involved in the attack.

The Western-backed Afghan government is locked in a prolonged war with Taliban insurgents and other militant groups. 
 
(Reuters)

Afghan soldiers were killed by Taliban attackers disguised in military uniforms in what would be the deadliest attack ever on an Afghan base

As many 140 Afghan soldiers were killed on Friday by Taliban attackers apparently disguised in military uniforms in what would be the deadliest attack ever on an Afghan military base, officials said. One official in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, where the attack occurred, said on Saturday at least 140 soldiers were killed and many others wounded. Other officials said the toll was likely to be even higher. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the government has yet to release official casualty figures. A US official in Washington on Friday had put the toll at more than 50 killed and wounded. As many as 10 Taliban fighters, dressed in Afghan army uniforms and driving military vehicles, talked their way onto the base and opened fire on soldiers eating dinner and leaving a mosque after Friday prayers, according to officials. The attackers used rocket-propelled grenades and rifles, they said. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement on Saturday the attack was retribution for the recent killing of several senior Taliban leaders in northern Afghanistan. The NATO-led military coalition deploys advisers to the base where the attack occurred to train and assist the Afghan forces but coalition officials said no international troops were involved in the attack. The Western-backed Afghan government is locked in a prolonged war with Taliban insurgents and other militant groups. (Reuters)

Death toll in Afghan army base attack rises to 140, officials say