RASC News Agency: Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Clandestine leader of the Taliban, has prohibited the playing of cricket among the group’s fighters during his recent visits to several provinces. According to an audio recording released to the media on Tuesday, September 10, a Taliban military official in Kunduz province announced that Akhundzada has banned cricket within the 217 Omari Corps.
The audio recording reveals that the Taliban leader harbors a strong dislike for cricket, deeming it inappropriate for the group’s fighters, and has officially prohibited the game across all provinces. The Taliban official noted that fighters are now permitted to play football and volleyball as alternatives.
Cricket, a legacy of British colonialism, was initially introduced to Afghanistan through India and Pakistan. Over time, it gained popularity among the youth, particularly Pashtuns. During the Ghani administration, cricket received substantial financial support, with the government allocating the largest budget for cricket among all sports, promoting the game as predominantly Pashtun.
Sports analysts argue that cricket, at its core, has no cultural ties to Afghanistan or the Pashtun people and is, in fact, a European sport brought to the region through colonialism. However, Mullah Hibatullah, following his trend of banning various activities, has now also outlawed cricket for Taliban fighters. According to sources, future decrees are expected to extend the ban nationwide.
