A Systematic Global Approach Is Needed For Afghan Women Cricketers: World Cricketers Association

The exclusion of Afghanistan’s women cricketers from the sport is a glaring issue that needs urgent attention. Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, the nation has failed to field a women’s team despite holding Full Member status in the International Cricket Council (ICC). The World Cricketers Association (WCA) has spoken out against this, calling for a structured, global effort to protect the rights of Afghan women cricketers.

The Current State of Afghan Women’s Cricket

Afghanistan had been making strides in developing its women’s cricket team, contracting 25 female players in 2020. However, these players never got to represent their country internationally. Under Taliban rule, women have been banned from sports altogether, with further restrictions imposed on education and healthcare.

Tom Moffat, CEO of the WCA, has labeled the exclusion of women from cricket as “unacceptable.” He emphasized the need for a systematic global approach, rather than sporadic, inconsistent efforts, to hold Afghanistan accountable for gender discrimination in sports.

“The ICC and national governing bodies run and regulate the game and their tournaments, and have a responsibility to exercise leverage to ensure that the rights of players in our sport, including Afghanistan women’s players, are protected and respected. That doesn’t necessarily mean boycotts, there are a number of ways to exercise leverage, but to date the random and inconsistent manner of dealing with it, and of even having the conversation around the world, highlights the need for cricket’s governing bodies to implement a more systematic global approach to protecting basic player rights, along with just about every other aspect of the sport,” Moffat said.

The ICC’s Role in the Issue

The ICC, which governs international cricket, has a responsibility to uphold gender equality in the sport. However, despite Afghanistan’s failure to meet basic membership criteria regarding women’s cricket, the ICC has taken no significant action beyond verbal concerns.

Supporting Afghan women cricketers requires more than just occasional statements of solidarity. A collective effort involving the ICC, national cricket boards, and players’ associations is essential to applying meaningful pressure on Afghanistan’s cricket authorities.

Boycotts vs. Other Forms of Pressure

Australia has taken a firm stand by canceling bilateral engagements with Afghanistan. England has hinted at doing the same, though both nations continue to play Afghanistan in ICC tournaments. However, not all believe that boycotts are the best course of action, as isolating the men’s team may not directly benefit the cause of Afghan women cricketers.

Governments and cricket boards worldwide have taken varying stances. The ECB has pushed for an “ICC-wide approach,” while South Africa’s sports minister compared the Taliban’s actions to Apartheid-era discrimination, emphasizing the role of international pressure in addressing injustice.

The Universal Declaration of Player Rights

Every athlete has the right to participate in sport free of discrimination. The Universal Declaration of Player Rights protects this, yet Afghan women cricketers are systematically denied these basic rights.

Moffat further stated, “Every athlete has the right to equality of opportunity which is protected in the Universal Declaration of Player Rights, underpinned by international law. That means each player has the right to equality of opportunity in the pursuit of sport, free of discrimination, harassment and violence, and a player’s right to pursue sport cannot be limited because of his or her gender.”

Some prominent Afghan male cricketers, including Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, have spoken about the importance of education but have largely remained silent on women’s cricket. Many fear speaking out due to potential repercussions against their families still living in Afghanistan. Afghanistan currently lacks a formal players’ association. Having one could provide Afghan cricketers—both men and women—with a stronger platform to demand change.