KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the formation of a special task force dedicated to supporting female cricketers from Afghanistan forced into exile.
In a statement on Sunday, the ICC said it will work with cricket boards in India, England, and Australia to assist players in both their personal and professional development.
Afghanistan’s women’s team has been dismantled since the Taliban takeover in 2021. The regime has erased women and girls from public life, including from playing sports.
The ICC said the move aims to preserve the careers of Afghan women cricketers and keep them connected to the game.
“We are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances,” said ICC Chair Jay Shah. “We are proud to launch this task force and support fund to ensure displaced Afghan women cricketers can continue their journey in the sport.”
The fund will provide direct financial support to the athletes, including a high-performance program with elite coaching and world-class facilities.
The ICC has not yet released a timeline for the rollout of the Afghan women’s support program, but officials say implementation efforts will begin immediately.
