Former members of Afghanistan's women's team appealed to the ICC

Afghanistan's former women cricketers, numbering seventeen, have made a heartfelt plea to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to assist them in forming a refugee team based in Australia. These players, once part of Afghanistan's women's cricket team under the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), have been forced to disband since 2021 due to severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women's sports participation following their return to power. Many of these players have sought refuge abroad.

In a letter addressed to ICC Chairman Greg Barclay dated June 29, the former cricketers expressed pride in Afghanistan's recent achievements at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, particularly congratulating Rashid Khan and the men's team for their semifinal appearance. Despite celebrating these successes, the women lamented their inability to represent their country under current government regulations that prohibit women from participating in sports.

"With deep regret, we, as former contracted players of the Afghanistan women's team now residing abroad, cannot represent our country like our male counterparts," the letter states. They implored the ICC to support their initiative to establish a refugee team in Australia, envisioning a platform where Afghan women can play, coach, and administer cricket without the constraints they face back home.

"This refugee team aims to unify Afghan women under one banner, offering them a collective opportunity to represent their country," the players wrote. Their goals include developing talent, inspiring hope among women in Afghanistan, and highlighting the challenges faced by Afghan women. Through this initiative, they seek to bring attention to the plight of Afghan women who aspire to participate in cricket but are currently unable to do so.

The proposal underscores a stark disparity in opportunities between male and female athletes in Afghanistan amidst global recognition of the men's cricket team's achievements. The former women cricketers hope that with ICC's support, they can create a meaningful pathway for Afghan women to pursue their cricketing dreams despite the current adversities they face.