Australia National Cricket Team player Marnus Labuschagne said that he has no issues playing against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team. His statement comes after Cricket Australia’s stance to not play bilateral series against the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side due to the restrictions on women in their country.
The Australia National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team are all set to lock horns with each other in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The match between the teams will take place on Friday (28th February) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
It will be more than a match for both the teams as not only does winning for either of the teams guarantee qualification to the semi-finals, but with what happened between the teams over the last few years. Cricket Australia denied playing against Afghanistan after the Taliban government banned women from playing sports.
The governing body cancelled the series twice as they mentioned that they would be playing against them only if they allowed women to play. However, Australia have played Afghanistan in the ICC events since then as they locked horns with each other at the 2022 T20 World Cup, the 2023 ODI World Cup, and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Personally, which I can speak of, I’ve got no issues about playing tomorrow – Marnus Labuschagne on playing against Afghanistan
Marnus Labuschagne, however, acknowledged that it’s an ICC event and, hence, Australia has to play against Afghanistan despite CA’s stance. But he made a bold claim, saying that he doesn’t have any issues playing against Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side. Speaking to reporters, he said:
“It’s an ICC tournament,” Labuschagne said. “And our game, as the schedule came out, we’re playing Afghanistan. Personally, which I can speak of, I’ve got no issues about playing tomorrow. But obviously, there have been some stances from us at Cricket Australia in the past. But we’re just focusing on tomorrow where we are playing Afghanistan.”
We’d love to win tomorrow and silence the crowd – Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne also added that they would love to silence the Afghanistan supporters but were quick to admit that they need to stick to their process and engage in the game. He said:
“We’d love to win tomorrow and silence the crowd,” Labuschagne said. “But for us, it’s all about making sure we stick to our process and engage in the game. We must be ready to play and whatever gets thrown at us – doesn’t matter what the situation is – that we come out and perform at our best.”
I will have to make sure we’re ready to go tomorrow if it is a shortened fixture – Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne further talked about the threat of rain for the Afghanistan match, saying that they are aware if rain washes out, they will go through. But added that they want to play and head into the semi-final on the back of wins. He added:
“I think as players you always want to play,” Labuschagne said. “Obviously, if the whole match rains out, I think that means that we go through to the semi-finals – but obviously, we’d love to be able to win the game tomorrow and finish top in the pool.
“I think that’s something that we want to aim to do and make sure we’ve won all our matches leading up to the semi-finals. But those things are out of our control, so I will have to make sure we’re ready to go tomorrow if it is a shortened fixture.”
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