Since their takeover the Taliban have approved Afghanistan's first cricket Test, raising hope for international matches to continue as usual under the new rule.
"We have got approval to send the team to Australia," the chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), Hamid Shinwari, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
During their first stint in power before they were ousted in 2001, the Taliban banned most forms of entertainment – including many sports – and stadiums were used as public execution venues.
The Taliban do not mind cricket, however, and the game is popular among many fighters.
They have also promised to enforce a less strict version of Islamic law this time, after seizing the capital Kabul last month.
The Test match, to be played in Hobart from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, was scheduled for last year but was put off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions.
It will be Afghanistan's first Test in Australia.
Before the Australia tour, the Afghanistan team will feature in the Twenty20 World Cup, to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Oct. 17 to Nov. 15.
Shinwari also confirmed Afghanistan's under-19 cricket team will tour Bangladesh for a bilateral later this month.
Since the evacuation of United States and NATO forces from Afghanistan after the Taliban swept into Kabul last month, there were fears that cricket and other sports would be hit.
But ACB officials categorically said that cricket was supported by the Taliban.
Afghanistan's home one-day international (ODI) series against Pakistan – shifted to Sri Lanka – was however canceled until next year over logistical and COVID-19 issues last week.
