Seventeen former women cricketers from Afghanistan are appealing to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for assistance in establishing a refugee team based in Australia. These players, who were part of Afghanistan's women's cricket team under the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), have been forced to disband due to restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women's sports participation. Many of them have sought refuge abroad.
In a letter to ICC Chairman Greg Barclay dated June 29, the former cricketers commended Afghanistan's recent success at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, particularly congratulating Rashid Khan and the men's team for reaching the semifinals. However, they expressed disappointment in their inability to represent their country due to current government regulations prohibiting women from participating in sports.
The players, now living abroad, requested ICC support in forming a refugee team in Australia to provide Afghan women with a platform to play, coach, and manage cricket without the limitations they face in Afghanistan. They aim to unite Afghan women, develop talent, inspire hope, and shed light on the challenges faced by women in the country who aspire to play cricket.
The proposal highlights the disparity in opportunities for male and female athletes in Afghanistan, despite the global acclaim for the men's cricket team. The former women cricketers hope that with ICC's backing, they can create a pathway for Afghan women to pursue their cricketing dreams amid ongoing challenges.