Members of the Afghanistan Women's National Cricket Team: ICC Has Fallen Short in Supporting the Women's Team

According to a report by Sky News, members of the Afghanistan Women's Cricket Team have criticized the policies of the ICC, stating that the council has failed to support women's sports in Afghanistan.

Firoza Amiri, a member of the Afghanistan Women's Cricket Team, said that the ICC has not responded to their requests, citing excuses such as the complexity of forming a women's cricket team in Afghanistan.

She emphasized that the only request of the women's cricket team is the opportunity to compete as representatives of their country. Firoza Amiri also added that while she opposes sanctions against the Afghan men's team, she believes that the ICC has neglected to support the women's team.

Amiri further highlighted the difficult conditions for women in Afghanistan, noting issues such as the lack of basic rights, the deprivation of education for girls, and forced marriages, which she described as "heartbreaking."

Sky News wrote that despite efforts, the Afghanistan Women's Cricket Team has been unable to participate in international matches, and even their proposal to play as a refugee team was rejected.

It is worth mentioning that 25 female players, who were selected in 2020 to train for the women's cricket team, now live in exile in Australia following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, over 160 members of the British Parliament recently wrote a letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board, calling for the cancellation of England's match against Afghanistan due to the Taliban's oppressive policies against women and girls.

The letter stated that one of the Taliban's first actions was the prohibition of women's sports, and the Afghanistan Women's Cricket Team was dissolved, which is described as "morally reprehensible" and a violation of international cricket laws.

England's cricket team is scheduled to face Afghanistan on February 26 in the group stage of the ICC Championship in Lahore, Pakistan.