The series was scheduled as part of the ODI Super League back in 2019. It was never going to be played in Afghanistan due to the potential danger of an attack, so it was planned for India initially, before being tentatively moved to the UAE after the pull-out.

This is only the 3rd time Australia has been scheduled to play Afghanistan since the Taliban took over.

The first time, a single Test match, was cancelled in the immediate aftermath of the Western withdrawal and Taliban takeover.

The second time was in a World Cup, Teams only pull out of WC matches if there is a legitimate security risk. Even Pakistan and India still play their World cup matches, despite the precarious politics between the countries.

This is the third time. A 3 match ODI series to be held in the UAE.

They haven't had very many chances to make this call, and have been pressuring the ICC to make a decision on Afghanistan's future in the sport. The ICC have repeatedly voted to kick the can down the road.

Cricket Australia have pulled out of a 3 match ODI tour in the UAE against the Afghanistan cricket team.

This is the 2nd time Cricket Australia have cancelled bilateral matches against Afghanistan. In 2021 shortly after the Taliban takeover Cricket Australia cancelled a one-off Test match that was to be hosted in Tasmania.

Cricket Australia have been pressuring the ICC (International Cricket Council) to ban or suspend the Afghanistan Cricket Board since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. Concerns have been raised on multiple occasions over the stance of the Taliban on (initially) Women's sports and later Women's rights in general.

It remains to be seen if CA pulling out will cause other national boards to take a stance. The ICC next meet to discuss Afghanistan's future in cricket in March.

Pretty much, Teams had merged for the season, Coaches son was their wicketkeeper, I was ours.

He was the single worst keeper in the league the previous season, while I had more stumpings than the rest of the league combined. I called Coach out on the favouritism (He didn't even give me a chance to challenge for the spot) and got banished to perpetual Fine Leg for almost half the season.

When your Captain/Keeper is both a moron and the Coaches' son, it's a miserable season. (Can you tell I'm still miffed about it?)

It's the kind of drop that the coaches' kid gets patted on the back for the attempt, because he didn't run away from it.

Anyone else misses that and it's fire and brimstone from the boundary.

I think the biggest thing they missed was Moeen Ali dropping the easiest catch of his life.

Absolutely comical. Worse drops than that are few and far between at this level.