Batting for Equality: ICC Pledges Support to Displaced Afghan Women Cricketers
New Delhi — The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the formation of a dedicated task force to support Afghanistan’s women cricketers—many of whom have been forced into exile since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and effectively erased women from public life, including sports.
The initiative, developed in partnership with the cricket boards of India (BCCI), England (ECB), and Australia (CA), will include direct financial assistance, high-performance training, access to world-class facilities, and mentorship opportunities. The ICC called it a “comprehensive support programme” aimed at helping these athletes “continue pursuing the game they love.”
“At the ICC, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances,” said ICC Chairman Jay Shah. “This initiative reflects our dedication to cricket’s global growth and its power to inspire unity, resilience, and hope.”
From National Team to Exile
Before the Taliban takeover, the Afghanistan Cricket Board had made a promising move—contracting 25 women players to form the foundation of a national side. But with the regime’s crackdown on women’s rights, the team was swiftly disbanded. Most of its members fled the country, seeking refuge primarily in Australia.
Now living in exile, these women have clung to the game that once gave them purpose and pride. Earlier this year, they played their first match in Melbourne as an unofficial team, drawing attention and admiration from around the world. In a powerful moment last July, former national team members penned a letter to the ICC requesting recognition as a refugee team.
In a heartfelt message, Wazhma Ayoubi expressed deep appreciation for the support extended to Afghan female cricketers. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. @JayShah, @BCCI, and all other parties involved. Your efforts are truly appreciated, thank you for not forgetting our female cricketers 👏🏻🙏,” Ayoubi remarked.
Global Solidarity
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg welcomed the ICC’s move, saying it would help displaced Afghan players “improve their cricket and play at the highest possible level.”
“We remain extremely grateful to the Australian cricket community for helping resettle these women and provide playing opportunities,” he added.
Richard Gould, chief executive of the ECB, echoed the support. “We have long advocated for meaningful funding to support female players from Afghanistan. We want the Afghanistan women’s team to continue being a beacon of hope for all women and girls.”
The announcement comes at a time when global concern over the Taliban’s treatment of women remains high. Women in Afghanistan are now barred from most educational, professional, and athletic spaces. Critics say the country’s exclusion of women from public life should disqualify it from participating in international sport altogether.
Mounting Pressure
In March, Human Rights Watch publicly called on the ICC to suspend Afghanistan’s membership, citing the Taliban’s gender-based restrictions as a violation of cricket’s core values. But while the ICC has maintained its support for the men’s team, this new initiative signals a shift toward more direct engagement with the issue of gender equity in sport.
Though it stops short of granting the exiled Afghan women official team status, the task force is a significant step toward recognition—and, more importantly, a lifeline for athletes who’ve lost their country but not their passion.
Cricket, in this case, is more than a game. It’s a vehicle for dignity, resistance, and hope. And with the ICC’s new initiative, the world is listening.
