The fate of the Afghanistan Test in Hobart later this year will rest with Australia's federal government following the Taliban takeover of the country.
The match, Afghanistan's first Test against Australia, is due to take place from November 27 having been postponed from last season due to the pandemic but earlier this week Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein stated his concerns about the fixture and said he would seek guidance from the local Hazara community.
It would not be Afghanistan's first international cricket since the Taliban returned to power with the men's team set to be part of the T20 World Cup in the UAE next month while there is the possibility they will also be involved in a tri-series with Australia and West Indies before that. The Under-19 men's team has also recently arrived in Bangladesh for a tour.
"It's an extremely challenging and complex situation," Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia's chief executive, told SEN radio. "There's so many layers to it and it really does transcend cricket
"The situation as it stands today, is that Afghanistan are a full member of the ICC, they're due to play in the T20 World Cup, but we're working very closely and having all the right discussions with the ICC, with the Australian government and ultimately we'll take our lead from them.
"We don't yet have answers but we're in dialogue and taking advice from all the relevant organisations."
Hockley said he would be arranging a meeting with Gutwein in the coming days to discuss the situation.
One of the major concerns from a sporting context is what happens to the female programmes with the Afghanistan Cricket Board having recently started a women's team. Under ICC rules, member nations have to provide equal access to the sport for males and females.
"I think it's something that is being keenly followed and observed," Hockley said. "I think here in Australia, we've been a real driving force in growing cricket for women and girls.
"Absolutely we want to see cricket for women and girls growing and strong all around the world. As I said previously, obviously the current situation is very new, international cricket is working to understand the implications, but it is something we will continue to watch very closely."
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