Cricket and the Taliban

Season 10, Ep 18: It's far from the most important question facing the country. But given that Afghanistan's cricket team has been a consistent good-news story for the last couple of decades, those who follow the game worry about what will become of it with the Taliban back in power. Shadi Khan Saif is a journalist who has covered Afghanistan politics for years, and who escaped from Kabul the night before joining The Final Word.Also this week: Justin Langer's tenure as Australian coach remains fraught, with players angry that Cricket Australia publicly backed him before meeting with them. Malcolm Conn of the Sydney Morning Herald also joins the show to talk through the developing story. Plus, we prepare for England and India's third Test, more runs for Fawad Alam as Pakistan play West Indies, Adam is back from holiday, and Ian Botham is the UK's new trade envoy to Australia. Mmmmkay.Your Nerd Pledge number this week:8.50 - David WhiteleySend us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalwordFind previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram, FB and TwitterThe Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast NetworkTitle track by Urthboy See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.