A unique initiative announced by the ICC to support Afghan women cricketers, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a step toward cricket’s inclusion. The program will facilitate resources and opportunities for these cricketers to pursue their careers, even while the social and political setting in Afghanistan does not encourage such actions at this time.
The return of the Taliban to power in 2021 had gone hand in hand with the imposition of a conclusive set of restrictions: the ban on Afghani women from participating in sports altogether. This left the national women cricketers no alternative but to pause their activities and abandon their homeland in search of refuge. For instance, 19 players moved to Australia while others made it to Canada and the UK. So far, through all these hardships, they have been playing in local leagues as well as exhibition matches to keep their skills alive.
With some of these wonderful, resilient women in mind, the ICC establishes a task force on personal and professional development for them. The initiative will be in partnership with national cricket boards in Australia, India, and England, which will help these women with direct financial funds, elite coaching, and world-class facilities. The purpose is to ensure these cricketers can train up, compete, and probably re-enter international cricket stages.
According to ICC Chairman Jay Shah, the organization believes in inclusivity; he adds that “The ICC believes this initiative will not only help preserve the sporting careers of Afghan women cricketers but also reinforce the role of sport as a unifying force transcending borders and adversity.”
The global cricket fraternity has rallied behind the Afghan women cricketers forced away from their homeland. An exhibition match held in January in Melbourne saw the contest between the Afghanistan Women’s XI versus the Cricket Without Borders XI, emphasizing the fighting spirit of the players and the champions they have behind them from their international allies. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg spoke words of support in such an initiative by saying, “We hope this allows the Afghanistan women to make the goal of improving their cricket and playing at the highest level possible.”
The ICC initiative is most significantly a light for the Afghan women cricketers trying against the odds to keep their dreams shining. Indeed, the tangible support and resources made available through the scheme, empower these athletes to continue their journey in cricket, motivate others, and even advocate the cause of women’s rights through sport.
