Exiled Afghan women cricketers urge ICC to take action against Taliban sports restrictions

Article Updated On:

January 19 2025

Published On:

January 19 2025

Members of the exiles. Afghanistan The women’s cricket team has made a powerful appeal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) take decisive action against the Taliban’s current ban on women’s sports. Their demands highlight the critical intersection between sports, human rights and international diplomacy, sparking global conversations about cricket’s role in addressing systemic oppression.

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The terrible background

Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions on education, employment and sports participation. The Taliban’s policies effectively dismantled the Afghan women’s cricket team, forcing players to flee the country. Many of these athletes have sought refuge in Australia, striving to keep their cricketing dreams alive while dealing with the loss of their homeland.

The demands of Afghan women cricketers

Leading the charge for change, Firooza Amiria prominent member of the exiled team, has publicly criticized the ICC for its inaction. Through media statements and formal communications to cricket bodies, Amiri and his teammates have urged the ICC to:

Suspend Afghanistan’s membership until women’s cricket is restored.
Redirect funds from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to support the exiled women’s team.
Recognize and support a refugee team for Afghan women cricketers.

Amiri specifically questioned the allocation of ICC funds earmarked for women’s cricket in Afghanistan, stating: “The funding provided by the ICC to the ACB for the women’s programme: where has that money gone?” It highlighted the glaring disparity between the flourishing infrastructure of men’s cricket and the complete neglect of women’s sports.

Also READ: Bangladesh Cricket Board announces dates for first season of Women’s BPL

International pressure increases

The plight of Afghan women cricketers has attracted international attention, particularly in the United Kingdom. More than 160 British MPs have signed a letter urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. They called the Taliban’s treatment of women “medieval oppression” and called for a strong global response.

However, the ECB has chosen not to take unilateral action, citing concerns that a boycott could inadvertently serve the Taliban’s agenda of isolating Afghan society. The board advocates for a coordinated initiative led by the ICC to address the problem comprehensively.

The ICC’s measured approach

So far, the ICC has taken a cautious stance, prioritizing dialogue over sanctions. It has set up a task force on cricket in Afghanistan to address the situation, with the aim of harnessing the widespread influence of cricket in Afghanistan to bring about social change. Critics, however, argue that the ICC’s response has been too slow and ineffective and has not adequately addressed the Taliban’s entrenched policies.