Cricket: Afghanistan women’s team seeks ‘clear answer’ on future from International Cricket Council

The team’s relationship with the ICC is relatively straightforward.

Since fleeing Afghanistan in 2021, the players have accused the governing body of neglecting them and failing in their duty of care.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan men’s team retains full membership of the ICC despite the country’s inability to meet the membership requirement to support a women’s national team.

In April 2025, the ICC, along with the cricket boards of England, Australia and India, announced a joint program to provide financial support for players.

Funding has enabled the squad to train in an elite performance environment over the past year, with two cricket sessions and two strength and conditioning sessions per week, alongside competitive matches.

However, that program ended after the England tour and there are currently no plans for what to do next.

The future funding of the team will be discussed at the ICC’s annual conference next month.

Connor believes the global game now needs to find a permanent solution.

“It is the responsibility of the global community to act.

“That’s an answer we need to find. The global cricket community really needs to come together and come up with a sustainable plan for the players in this team.”

Last month, football’s governing body, FIFA, cleared the Afghan women’s national football team to return to international competition. The cricketers now hope the ICC will follow suit.

“They deserve to play as Afghanistan’s national women’s football team, and we deserve the same thing,” Amiri said.

“We are hoping that after all these matches and all the hard work, the ICC will look at this team, recognize us and finally give us what we deserve.”

Under the current oppressive Taliban regime, women in Afghanistan are banned from education, sports and work, and are not allowed to leave the house without a male guardian.

Players say their fight for recognition on the world stage goes beyond cricket. They hope their story will also send a message of hope to women and girls back home.

“I just want to tell them that every shot and every wicket is for you. We play for your voice and we play for your freedom,” Afghan said.