“We can control things…”: Afghanistan Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi Supports Women’s Right to Play Cricket

Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, has expressed his support for the right of Afghan women to play cricket. However, he acknowledged that the situation is beyond his control. Speaking ahead of Afghanistan’s Champions Trophy match against England in Lahore, Shahidi emphasized that his focus and that of his team remained solely on their performance on the field.

Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Stance on Women’s Cricket

Shahidi acknowledged the importance of allowing women to play cricket, stating that “everyone likes to see everyone play.” However, he stressed that the players’ primary responsibility is to focus on their game rather than get involved in political issues beyond their control. He reiterated that Afghan cricketers are professionals whose job is to perform within the boundary lines of the cricket field.

Shahidi said, “When it comes to politics and those things which we cannot control, we are only cricket players we can control things in the ground. We are sportspersons. We control what we can do inside the ground and we can’t worry about what’s happening out of the ground. We play hard, we work hard, we have good net sessions. So that’s what we’re thinking of.”

The Political Context and the UK’s Reaction

In the weeks leading up to the match, UK politicians, including more than 160 Members of Parliament, urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott the game. Their protest was rooted in Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government banning women from playing cricket, a violation of ICC policies on gender equality in sports. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also called on the ICC to “enforce their own rules.” However, the ECB ultimately decided to go ahead with the fixture, stating that sports should not always be politicized.

Hashmatullah Shahidi is not the only Afghan cricketer who has expressed support for women’s cricket. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have previously spoken out against restrictions on women, particularly after bans on women training as doctors. Their statements highlight the difficult position Afghan players find themselves in—balancing loyalty to their country while recognizing the injustice faced by women under Taliban rule.

England’s Response to the Issue

England’s captain, Jos Buttler, voiced his deep concern for the situation faced by Afghan women. The ECB officially termed the Taliban’s stance as “gender apartheid,” emphasizing the struggle that women and girls in Afghanistan endure. Despite these concerns, Buttler hoped that the upcoming match would serve as a source of unity and joy, demonstrating the power of sport in times of crisis.

Buttler said, “I’ve taken a lot of advice from lots of experts. Credit to Rob Key and the ECB. They’ve been very good at supporting me and all the players, and giving us information and education around this, and making it an ECB decision. We’re very saddened at the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan at the moment, and the struggles they are facing. But we hope that the game tomorrow can be a source of hope and enjoyment in what is obviously a tough time at the moment. We’re very excited about the match. Sport has a great power to unite people and give hope, and that’s what we hope this game will do.”

Afghanistan’s Coach Jonathan Trott Weighs In

Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s head coach and former England cricketer, also acknowledged the moral complexity of the situation. He confirmed that Afghan players understand the injustice happening in their country but emphasized that their role is to bring happiness to their people through cricket. He described the players as “brave” for continuing their careers while knowing that many aspects of life in Afghanistan are not as they should be.

Trott expressed, “These guys are brave. They know the difference between right and wrong. It is a real tricky situation for them. They know who they are playing for and representing. We work hard to bring joy to the country and the guys are passionate, brave and proud of being able to do that, but knowing full well that there are things that are not correct.”

The Champions Trophy Clash – A High-Stakes Match

The upcoming match between Afghanistan and England carries immense significance beyond political debates. Both teams suffered defeats in their opening games—Afghanistan lost to South Africa, while England was beaten by Australia. A loss in this fixture would leave either team on the verge of an early exit from the tournament, making it a virtual knockout match.