Members of the exiles Afghanistan The women's cricket team has made a strong appeal to International Cricket Council (ICC) To take decisive action against the Taliban's ongoing ban on women's sports. Their demands highlight the critical intersection between sport, human rights and international diplomacy, sparking global conversations about cricket's role in tackling systemic oppression.
Painful background
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions on education, employment and sports participation. Taliban policies have effectively dismantled the Afghan women's cricket team, forcing players to flee the country. Many of these athletes have taken refuge in Australia, striving to keep their cricketing dreams alive while grappling with the loss of their homeland.
Demands of Afghan women cricketers
Leading the charge of change, Fairoza Al-Amiria senior member of the exiled team, has publicly criticized the ICC for its inaction. Through media statements and official communications with cricket bodies, Amiri and her colleagues have urged the ICC to:
- Afghanistan suspended until women's cricket is restored.
- Redirecting funding from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to support the exiled women's team.
- Recognizing and supporting the refugee team for Afghan women cricketers.
Amiri specifically questioned the allocation of ICC funds allocated to women's cricket in Afghanistan, saying: “The funding provided by the ICC to the Central Bank of Asia for the women’s program – where did this money go?” She emphasized the stark disparity between the thriving men's cricket infrastructure and the complete neglect of women's sports.
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International pressure is increasing
The plight of Afghan women cricketers has attracted international attention, especially in the UK. More than 160 British parliamentarians have signed a letter urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott the Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. They described the Taliban's treatment of women as “medieval persecution” and called for a strong global response.
However, the ECB has chosen not to take unilateral action, citing concerns that the boycott may inadvertently serve the Taliban's agenda to isolate Afghan society. The Council calls for a coordinated initiative led by the International Criminal Court to comprehensively address this issue.
The ICC's measured approach
The ICC has so far taken a cautious stance, prioritizing dialogue rather than sanctions. It has established an Afghanistan Cricket Task Force to deal with the situation, with the aim of leveraging cricket's widespread influence in Afghanistan for social change. However, critics argue that the ICC's response has been too slow and ineffective, and has failed to adequately address entrenched Taliban policies.
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This article was first published in WomenCricket.comA Cricket times a company.
