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 Whiteley

Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw

20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20

Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram, FB and Twitter

The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network

Title track by Urthboy

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.