The International Cricket Council (ICC) has established a dedicated taskforce to assist Afghan women cricketers who were forced to flee following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, which effectively banned women’s participation in sports.

The initiative is being supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The ICC also announced the creation of a special fund aimed at providing financial support to the displaced players, helping them continue their cricketing journeys.

"This fund will offer direct monetary assistance," the ICC said in a statement. "It will be bolstered by a high-performance programme, including elite coaching, access to world-class training facilities, and personalized mentorship."

ICC chairman Jay Shah emphasized the governing body's commitment to inclusivity and opportunity: "We are proud to launch this taskforce and support system for Afghan women cricketers, ensuring they have the resources and pathways to thrive, even in exile."

The ECB, which has previously contributed to the Global Refugee Cricket Fund, welcomed the move. Chief executive Richard Gould said: "We’ve consistently advocated for meaningful support for Afghan female cricketers. This step from the ICC is a vital one. We want the Afghanistan women’s team to remain a symbol of hope and resilience for women and girls worldwide."

Although ICC rules require full members like Afghanistan to maintain a national women’s team, the country’s male team has continued to compete internationally—reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup and appearing in the Champions Trophy—despite the absence of a women’s side.

England’s match against Afghanistan in that tournament proceeded as scheduled, despite political calls for a boycott.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1050 HRS, APR 14, 2025
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