Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team has finally gained international recognition, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) announcing a dedicated task force to support the displaced women cricketers.
A New Era for Afghan Women’s Cricket
After years of fighting, Afghanistan‘s women’s cricket team has finally gained the support of the sport’s governing body. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced its intention to form a dedicated task force to support the displaced women cricketers.
The Afghanistan women's cricket team made its international debut in 2017.
The team has since participated in several tournaments, including the 'ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier' and the Asia Cup.
In 2020, the team secured a historic win against 'Ireland,' marking their first victory in an ODI match.
The growth of women's cricket in Afghanistan is attributed to the efforts of organizations like the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the 'International Cricket Council' which have provided training and support to female cricketers.
The news has brought joy and relief to many of the women who have been battling to represent their nation over the last three years. Firooza Afghan, an exiled player, described her feelings as ‘unbelievable‘ when she heard the news. ‘I think it’s more than 20 years,’ she said, referring to the long struggle for women’s cricket in Afghanistan. ‘We were fighting to have a team so we can represent our country like other women from countries like Pakistan, India, Australia.’
The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 led to the ban of women from most areas of public life, including sports. This prompted the national team’s players to write to the ICC asking to be recognized as a refugee team. The move was met with pressure from governments and Human Rights Watch, which called for the suspension of Afghanistan‘s membership and the ban of the men’s team from competing in World Cups.
However, despite the opposition, the ICC has announced its support for the Afghan women cricketers. A dedicated task force will be formed to provide direct monetary assistance and a robust high-performance program with advanced coaching, world-class facilities, and tailored mentorship.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body for cricket.
Established in 1909, it has 125 member countries and is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The ICC sets rules and regulations for the sport, including the laws of cricket, tournament formats, and player eligibility.
It also oversees international competitions such as the Cricket World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy.
The ICC has a strong focus on developing the game globally, with initiatives to promote cricket in new markets and support member countries' growth.
For Afghan, this latest development is just the next step in tilting the game back in their favor. The team has already played its first game in over three years, and now they are ready to return. ‘This isn’t the end,’ Afghan said. ‘We’ve just started.’ She hopes that with the ICC’s support, they can make history for all Afghan women.
The impact of this news may extend beyond the current group. Afghan remembers being a kid and watching men’s matches, but never seeing women’s cricket. She wants to change that for the new generation of girls and women in Afghanistan who want to play cricket. The hope now is that the ICC’s initiative can quickly turn into action, and Afghanistan‘s women can finally represent their country again.
