Funding for women refugees in Afghanistan to be increased following ICC board recommendations

Afghanistan Women’s Refugee Group is set to increase its funding.

Last year, the cricket boards of England, Australia and India and the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a joint program to support the latter’s exiled players. The Taliban return to power in 2021.

Sources told BBC Sport that the task force responsible for the matter met at the governing body’s annual conference in Edinburgh and recommended the project go ahead.

ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khawaja will formally present the recommendation at the board meeting on Saturday.

Officials from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia (CA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have all backed the proposal and it would be a big surprise if the ICC board does not sign off on it.

All three boards are keen for the ICC to play a more significant role in moving the project forward with a share of funding and resources.

Since settling in Australia, where they now live and train, Afghanistan’s female players have repeatedly called on the ICC to recognize them as an international team and commit to long-term funding.

They are currently in the UK and have been on tour for the past month ICC has been called To give them a “clear answer” about what their future will look like.

An exact timeframe for how long the fund will exist will be discussed at the board meeting but it is understood there could be a commitment until 2032.

What the roadmap looks like for their chances of playing official internationals is currently less clear.

BBC Sport understands a formal paper prepared by ICC Women’s Cricket Committee chair Claire Connor will also be submitted to the ICC board for consideration.

That paper included a proposal that the governing body allow the team to play official international cricket.

However, the issue for the ICC to navigate is a very complex and sensitive one so a clear cut decision may not be so straightforward.

The ICC’s responsibility to take care of Afghanistan Cricket Board officials accountable to the Taliban is understandable.

Similarly, there is also some concern about what the long-term implications could be for men’s cricket in Afghanistan.

Nevertheless, the fact that the issue of official matches has been brought to the table at board level is seen as an important moment and will provide a basis for further conversation.

Afghanistan women met ICC President Jay Shah and fellow ICC officials at Lord’s ahead of the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup final on July 5 and several key speeches were reportedly well received by the influential people present.

ICC is also quietly strengthening the framework around the project.

Last month the ICC’s executive committee agreed to add a dedicated female representative to the task force – which was largely made up of men – to advise on key decisions.

Additionally, they agreed that Pitch Our Future, an Australian campaign that raises funds and support for the displaced Afghan women’s cricket team, would be consulted at future task force meetings to ensure players’ voices are adequately represented.