District Correspondent, Sylhet: After the Taliban took over power in Afghanistan, women’s cricket was banned in the country. The players had to go into exile in Australia. From there, they raised their voices several times, but no significant initiative was taken. Now, they are about to receive some good news. ICC, BCCI, ECB, and CA have taken an initiative to bring them back to cricket.
The ICC, along with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA), has decided to provide financial support. They will not charge the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for this initiative. An ICC spokesperson shared these details with ESPNcricinfo.
He said, “The ICC is still not counting the Afghanistan (women’s) team in its calculations. Instead, we will follow the process of discussing and finding solutions to this complex issue within the legal and constitutional framework of the ICC.”
He also mentioned that the 19 female cricketers exiled in Australia are not the only ones under ICC’s consideration, stating, “We have plans for all those who are exiled from Afghanistan, wherever they may be.”
The ICC has already formed a task force for Afghan women cricketers. Through this, they will receive all kinds of support, including financial aid and training. A fund will be created with the help of these boards for Afghan women cricketers. Financial assistance will be provided to the cricketers from this fund. Additionally, modern high-standard training, various necessary facilities, and mentoring arrangements will be made for them.
