ICC Commits to Helping Afghanistan’s Displaced Women Players
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has pledged enhanced support for Afghanistan’s women cricketers who were forced into exile after the Taliban took control in 2021 and banned women from participating in sports. Many of these players fled to countries like Australia, where they held an unofficial match in Melbourne earlier this year without their official team emblem.
At the ICC’s annual conference held in Singapore over the weekend, officials revealed progress on their Afghanistan women’s cricket initiative aimed at helping these displaced athletes return to the game.
“The programme aims to deliver structured support,” the ICC said in a statement on Sunday.
Opportunities and Engagement at Global Events
The initiative promises to provide domestic playing opportunities and opportunities to engage with key ICC global events. This includes participation in upcoming major tournaments such as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
According to reports, the programme will also enable Afghan players to connect with international cricketers and attend coaching workshops during these global cricket events, helping them regain skills and confidence.
The ICC statement added, “This includes engagement at key ICC global events, providing workshops and interaction with international players.”
This effort is a collaborative venture involving the cricket boards of India, England, and Australia, under the guidance of ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja, reflecting a united front to support women’s cricket in Afghanistan despite the ongoing challenges.
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