Members of the exiled Afghanistan The women's cricket team has made a big impression on The International Cricket Council (ICC) to take action against the Taliban's ban on women's sports. Their demands reflect the important intersection of sport, human rights, and international dialogue, sparking a global conversation about cricket's role in tackling systemic oppression.
A terrible history
Since the return of the Taliban in August 2021, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions on education, work, and participation in sports. The Taliban policies effectively eliminated the Afghan women's cricket team, forcing the players to flee the country. Many of the players have fled to Australia, trying to keep their cricket dreams alive while dealing with their loss.
The aspirations of the Afghan cricketers
To promote change, Firooza AmiriA prominent member of the exiled group, has publicly criticized the ICC for not taking action. Through press releases and communications with sports organizations, Amiri and his teammates urged the ICC to:
- Suspend Afghanistan's membership until women's cricket is reinstated.
- Also sending money from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to support the exiled women's team.
- Recognize and give back to the refugee community of Afghan women cricketers.
Amiri specifically questioned the allocation of ICC funds for women's cricket in Afghanistan, saying, “The money given by the ICC to the ACB for the women's program – where has this money gone?” He also highlighted the stark contrast between the development of men's cricket and the complete neglect of the women's game.
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Global pressure builds
The plight of the Afghan cricketers has attracted international attention, particularly in the United Kingdom. More than 160 British MPs have signed a letter urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. He called the Taliban's treatment of women “time-honoured oppression” and called for a strong international response.
However, the ECB has decided to refrain from international action, citing concerns that a strike could inadvertently support the Taliban's plans to isolate Afghans. The organization recommends the creation of an ICC-led coalition to fully resolve the issue.
Method for measuring ICC
The ICC has taken a cautious stance, prioritizing negotiations on sanctions. It has established an Afghanistan Cricket Task Force to deal with the situation, with the aim of increasing the impact of cricket in Afghanistan on cultural change. Critics, however, argue that the ICC's response has been too limited and ineffective, failing to address the Taliban's entrenched policies.
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This article was originally published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.