In a significant step toward inclusivity and empowerment, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a dedicated initiative to support Afghan women cricketers who have been displaced since the Taliban takeover in 2021.
The Afghanistan women’s national cricket team, established in 2010, at the face of societal opposition, and after battling threats, in 2022, a resurgence of hope emerged when the Afghanistan Cricket Board awarded central contracts to 25 female players. Yet, this optimism was short-lived, as the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 led to a ban on women’s sports, forcing many players to flee the country.
The displaced players found refuge in countries like Australia where they began rebuilding their lives and cricketing careers. In Australia, two groups of Afghan women cricketers, based in Melbourne and Canberra, united to form the Afghan Women’s XI. Their journey culminated in a historic exhibition match on January 30, 2025, at Melbourne’s Junction Oval.
Due to their unrecognized status by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the team could not play under the official Afghanistan banner. Instead, they donned custom-made kits, and the exhibition match garnered significant attention, with dignitaries like England captain Heather Knight and Australian Governor-General David Hurley in attendance.
Despite the ICC’s requirement for full member nations to maintain women’s teams, Afghanistan’s men’s team continues to participate in international competitions without sanctions. This discrepancy has sparked criticism and calls for the ICC to enforce its regulations and support Afghan women cricketers more actively.
In a promising development, the ICC announced the formation of a dedicated task force to support displaced Afghan women cricketers. Collaborating with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA), the initiative aims to provide financial assistance, advanced coaching, and mentorship programs to help these athletes continue their cricketing journeys.
Commenting on the initiative, a long awaited one, ICC Chairman Mr. Jay Shah said, “At the International Cricket Council, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances.
“In collaboration with our valued partners, we are proud to launch this task force and support fund, complemented by a comprehensive high-performance programme, to ensure displaced Afghan women cricketers can continue their journey in the sport. This initiative reflects our steadfast dedication to cricket’s global growth and its power to inspire unity, resilience, and hope.”
Afghan women cricketers highlighted their plight in a heartfelt letter to the ICC, pleading for action to support their right to play cricket. They called for the ICC to enforce its own membership criteria, which mandate the active development of women’s cricket in full member nations.
Despite their appeals, the ICC’s response was delayed, leaving many disheartened. However, the recent formation of a dedicated ICC task force is a welcome step, signaling that their voices have finally been heard and their calls for support are being finally answered.
Loves all things female cricket