The Taliban have approved Afghanistan’s first cricket Test since their takeover, raising hopes that international matches will continue as usual under the new rule of the Islamists. “We have got approval to send the team to Australia,” chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board Hamid Shinwari said.

The Test match, to be played in Hobart from November 27 to December 1, was scheduled for last year, but was put off due to the Covid-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions. It will be Afghanistan’s first Test in Australia.