ICC Establishes Task Force to Support Afghan Women’s Cricket Team in Exile
April 15 – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched a special initiative to support members of the Afghan women’s cricket team who were forced into exile following the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports.
The ICC, in collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA), has formed a joint task force aimed at providing financial assistance, technical training, coaching, and mentorship. The initiative is intended to ensure that these athletes can continue pursuing their cricket careers despite being displaced.
Jay Shah, ICC Chair, emphasized that the council is committed to ensuring that every cricketer, regardless of their circumstances, is given a fair opportunity. He added that the program will provide hope and motivation for Afghan women and support their growth in the sport.
Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, women in Afghanistan were barred from participating in most public activities, including sports. Before the ban, the Afghanistan Cricket Board had signed contracts with 25 female players—many of whom now reside in Australia.
Last year, several of these players appealed to the ICC for recognition as a refugee team. In January this year, they competed under the banner of “Cricket Without Borders” in a match held in Melbourne.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg welcomed the ICC’s decision, expressing pride in the global cricket community’s efforts to support these women as they continue their journey in the sport.
The move marks a significant step in the ICC’s commitment to equity and equal opportunity in global cricket.
