Members of the exiled Afghanistan the women’s cricket team strongly appealed to International Cricket Council (ICC) take decisive action against the Taliban’s continued ban on women’s sports. Their demands highlight the critical intersection of sport, human rights and international diplomacy, sparking global conversations about cricket’s role in addressing systemic oppression.
Terrible background
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions on education, employment and participation in sports. The Taliban’s policy effectively broke up the Afghan women’s cricket team, forcing the players to flee the country. Many of these athletes sought refuge in Australia, seeking to keep their cricketing dreams alive while struggling with the loss of their homeland.
Demands of Afghan women cricketers
Leading the fight for change, Firooza Amiria prominent member of the team in exile, publicly criticized the ICC for its inaction. Through media statements and official communications with cricket authorities, Amiri and her teammates called on the ICC to:
- Suspend Afghanistan’s membership until women’s cricket returns.
- Redirect funding from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to support the women’s team in exile.
- Recognize and support the refugee team for Afghan female cricketers.
Amiri specifically questioned the ICC’s allocation of funds to women’s cricket in Afghanistan, stating, “Funds provided by ICC to ACB for women’s program — where has the money gone?” She highlighted the glaring disparity between the flourishing men’s cricket infrastructure and the complete neglect of the women’s sport.
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International pressure is growing
The plight of the Afghan women cricketers has attracted international attention, particularly in the United Kingdom. More than 160 British parliamentarians have signed a letter calling on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. They labeled the Taliban’s treatment of women as “medieval oppression” and called for a strong global response.
However, the ECB decided against unilateral action, citing concerns that a boycott could inadvertently serve the Taliban’s plan to isolate Afghan society. The Committee advocates a coordinated initiative under the leadership of the ICC to comprehensively address the problem.
ICC’s measured approach
The ICC has so far taken a cautious stance, prioritizing dialogue over sanctions. She established the Afghanistan Cricket Task Force to engage with the situation, with the aim of harnessing the widespread influence of cricket in Afghanistan for social change. Critics, however, argue that the ICC’s response has been too slow and ineffective, and that it has failed to adequately address entrenched Taliban policies.
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This article was first published on WomenCricket.comand Cricket times company.
