The Taliban have banned women from playing sports as confirmed on Wednesday in an interview with Australian broadcaster SBS television.
During the interview the deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq, said that sport is not seen as something that is important for women.
The shock announcement comes ahead of a scheduled cricket match against Afghanistan in Hobart, due to take place in November.
"I don't think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play cricket," Mr Wasiq said.
"In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this.
"It is the media era, and there will be photos and videos, and then people watch it. Islam and the Islamic Emirate do not allow women to play cricket or play the kind of sports where they get exposed."
It should be noted that Afghanistan sent one only woman to the Tokyo Olympics in July, while Zakia Khudadadi became the nation’s first female Paralympian when she managed to flee Kabul in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover.
READ: Dendias: Unlike Other East Med Countries, We Do Not Have A Hidden Agenda
