Afghanistan's displaced female cricketers received a significant show of support on Sunday as the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the creation of a dedicated fund and a task force to help them rebuild their careers in exile.
Following a board meeting held in Harare, the ICC revealed that it would partner with the cricket boards of India, England, and Australia to provide long-term assistance to the players, most of whom were forced to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 led to sweeping restrictions on women’s participation in sports.
In 2020, Afghanistan had 25 contracted female players. Today, many of them are resettled in Australia under humanitarian visas. These women, once part of a historic development in Afghan cricket, have seen their careers disrupted—but not ended.
"As part of the initiative, the ICC will establish a dedicated fund to provide direct monetary assistance, ensuring these cricketers have the resources they need to continue pursuing the game they love," the organization said in a statement. While financial specifics were not disclosed, the fund marks a key step toward reintegrating the players into high-performance cricket pathways.
The task force will be supported by a comprehensive high-performance programme, giving these athletes access to training, coaching, and potential international opportunities. The effort is a rare display of global solidarity in sport amid ongoing political tensions.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said, “We are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances. In collaboration with our valued partners, we are proud to launch this task force and support fund.”
Australia and England have maintained a strong stance on women's rights in Afghanistan, having refused bilateral series with the Afghan men's team. They currently compete against Afghanistan only in ICC-sanctioned tournaments, such as the World Cup and Champions Trophy.
The ICC's initiative aims to provide not just funding, but also hope and opportunity, ensuring that Afghan women cricketers are not forgotten in the shadows of displacement and political turmoil.
Source: Japan Times
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
