The Taliban government has defended its exclusion of Afghan women from UN-led engagement talks in Qatar, claiming that women’s rights are an internal matter. The Taliban delegation, led by Zabihullah Mujahid, will participate in the talks while civil society groups, including women’s rights organizations, will meet with international envoys and UN officials separately. The Taliban has faced widespread condemnation for its restrictive policies towards women, which have been described as ‘gender apartheid.’ The talks aim to increase international coordination on engagement with the Taliban, but the exclusion of women and the lack of human rights issues on the agenda have raised concerns.
Results for: Afghanistan
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the country may target sanctuaries of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan as part of its newly launched military operation. This comes after lukewarm support from the Afghan Taliban to stop the use of their territory by the TTP for attacks against Pakistan. Asif ruled out dialogue with the TTP, citing a lack of common ground and blaming former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government for the Taliban’s presence in Pakistan.
The Taliban will meet with international envoys in Qatar, raising concerns about the lack of human rights on the agenda. The exclusion of women’s rights groups has sparked criticism, while the UN insists this is not a step towards recognition.
South African skipper Aiden Markram expressed his delight at reaching the T20 World Cup final, highlighting the team’s resilience and ability to adapt to challenging conditions. He acknowledged the team’s past struggles in global events but emphasized the current focus on winning the trophy. Markram also praised Afghanistan’s performance and their impact on inspiring cricket fans back home.
Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott criticized the pitch used for the T20 World Cup semifinal against South Africa, calling it unfit for a contest of such magnitude. He argued the pitch, which offered erratic bounce and lateral movement, made batting difficult and contributed to Afghanistan’s record-low score of 56 in a semifinal. Trott acknowledged that while South Africa also struggled, he believes the pitch hindered a fair contest and didn’t allow for attacking play. He expressed disappointment with the pitch, highlighting its impact on the game and the need for more balanced surfaces in international cricket.
South Africa secured their first-ever T20 World Cup final berth with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan, but the match was more than just a clash of cricketing talent. The emotional journeys of both teams, their fans, and the unique connection they share, created a spectacle that transcended the boundaries of the sport.
South Africa coach Rob Walter expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome past near misses and perform well in the T20 World Cup semifinal against Afghanistan. He highlighted the team’s recent success in close matches and emphasized their determination to play their best cricket. Walter acknowledged the pressure of the semifinal but downplayed the luck factor, stressing the importance of skill. He also praised Afghanistan’s impressive run to the semifinals and their ability to compete on a global stage.
Afghanistan, once playing against teams like Japan and Singapore, is now set to face South Africa in the T20 World Cup semifinals. This clash promises exciting battles between key players, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Marco Jansen, Rashid Khan vs Heinrich Klaasen, and Fazalhaq Farooqi vs Quinton de Kock.
South Africa, aiming to reach their first T20 World Cup final since 2009, will face Afghanistan in the first semifinal. The Proteas have a history of falling short in semifinals, losing to Pakistan in 2009 and India in 2014. They will be hoping to overcome this hurdle and advance to the final.
South Africa’s journey to the T20 World Cup semifinals has been a rollercoaster of nail-biting finishes and last-minute victories. Despite their reputation for choking, the Proteas have repeatedly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, showcasing resilience and nerve in crucial moments. Their semi-final clash against Afghanistan promises to be another thrilling encounter.