Will Afghanistan Play T20 World Cup? Here's What ICC Said

ICC acting chief Geoff Allardice on Sunday said that they have decided to take a "wait and watch approach" on Afghanistan's participation in the marquee event.

New Delhi: Ever since Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan, dark clouds have loomed over the future of cricket in the country. After Taliban took the reins of nation, Women's cricket was banned there. After this, the ODI series between Afghanistan and Pakistan was also called-off.

Several media reports had suggested that ICC may bar Afghanistan from participating in the upcoming T20 World Cup is their national cricket team decides to play under the Taliban flag.

However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has given a big update on Afghanistan's participation in the T20 World Cup starting from October 17. ICC acting chief Geoff Allardice on Sunday said that they have decided to take a "wait and watch approach" on Afghanistan's participation in the marquee event.

"Our primary function is to support the development of cricket in that country through the member board," Allardice told a virtual news conference ahead of T20 World Cup.

"We have said all along that we are waiting to see how things unfold under the different regime in that country."

"The ICC board will consider it when they next meet which is looking like at the end of the T20 World Cup."

Australian cricket team's test skipper Tim Paine had said that teams might decide to not play against Afghanistan at the T20 World Cup, but Allardice said Afghanistan is a full member of ICC there's no doubt over their participation in the marquee event.

"They are full member of the ICC and the team is preparing for the event at the moment and will be playing in Group B," he said.

"As far as their participation in the event, it's proceeding as normal."