Exiled Afghan women cricketers urge ICC to act on Taliban sports ban

Migration members Afghanistan Women’s Cricket Team b International Cricket Council (ICC) To take decisive action against the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports. Their questions highlight the critical intersection of sport, human rights and international diplomacy, sparking international discussions on cricket’s role in addressing systemic oppression.

The terrible background

Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions on their participation in education, work and sports. The Taliban’s policies effectively dismantled the Afghan women’s cricket team, forcing the players to flee the country. Many of these athletes took refuge in Australia in an attempt to keep their cricketing dreams alive as they grappled with the loss of their homeland.

The interest of Afghan women cricketers

At the forefront of change, Firoza AmiriA prominent figure in the exile group has publicly criticized the ICC for not taking any action. In media statements and regular communications to cricket bodies, Amiri and her colleagues urged the ICC to:

• Suspend Afghanistan’s membership until women’s cricket is restored.
• Redirect funding from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to support the women’s team in exile.
• Know and support the refugee team for Afghan women cricketers.

Amiri questioned the allocation of ICC funds specifically for women’s cricket in Afghanistan. “ICC Funds for ACB Women’s Program – Where Has This Money Gone?” She emphasized the contrast between the developing infrastructure of men’s cricket and the complete neglect of women’s sports.

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International pressure increases

The plight of Afghan women cricketers has attracted worldwide attention, particularly in the United Kingdom. More than 160 members of the British Parliament have signed a letter asking the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to not participate in the Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. They labeled the Taliban’s treatment of women as “medieval oppression” and called for a strong international response.

However, the ECB opted against unilateral action, fearing that it could unwittingly benefit the Taliban’s agenda to isolate Afghan society. The Board supports a coordinated initiative led by the ICC to address the issue comprehensively.

The measured approach of ICC

The ICC has so far taken a cautious stance, prioritizing dialogue over sanctions. He established the Afghanistan Cricket Task Force to engage with the situation, aiming to harness the wider impact of cricket in Afghanistan for social change. Critics, however, argue that the ICC’s response has been too slow and ineffective to adequately address the Taliban’s entrenched policies.

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This article was originally published by WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.