The World Cricketers Association (WCA) has called for a more consistent and systematic global approach to supporting Afghanistan’s exiled women cricketers. Tom Moffat, the WCA’s CEO, criticized the “random and inconsistent” efforts to aid Afghan women players, emphasizing that cricket’s governing bodies, including the ICC, must protect players’ rights and implement a coordinated global strategy. Moffat argued that this does not necessarily mean boycotts, but rather using leverage to ensure the protection and respect of players’ rights.
Afghanistan, a Full Member of the ICC since 2017, does not currently have a women’s team after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Prior to that, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had contracted 25 women players, but they never played internationally. Under the Taliban, women are banned from sports and face severe restrictions in other areas of life, including education and healthcare.
Despite global condemnation of the Taliban’s actions, including by Amnesty International and the United Nations, Afghanistan remains a member of FIFA and the ICC. Australia has already canceled bilateral engagements with Afghanistan, with England also pledging to do the same. However, both countries continue to play Afghanistan in ICC events.
The WCA has expressed strong support for any player speaking out on this issue, including Afghan men’s players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, who have called for education for all but have yet to voice support for female cricketers. The WCA asserts that Afghan women must have the right to play sports and pursue opportunities without discrimination.
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