Key points
- Taliban ban forced many players into exile abroad
- Programme offers play, training, and global event access
- England to host World Test Championship finals till 2031
ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has enhanced its support for displaced Afghan women cricketers, aiming to help them return to the sport after being forced into exile.
Most of these players fled Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, which effectively banned women from participating in sport. A number of them sought refuge in Australia, where they played a match in Melbourne earlier this year — notably without their official team crest.
ICC announces several major decisions after Annual Conference 2025.https://t.co/SS0sevTn4L
— ICC (@ICC) July 20, 2025
At its annual conference held in Singapore over the weekend, the ICC reported progress on its initiative to support Afghan women’s cricket.
“The programme is designed to provide structured support,” the ICC said in a statement released late Sunday.
ICC global events
This includes “domestic playing opportunities and involvement in key ICC global events, including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England,” the statement added, though specific details were not disclosed.
The initiative will offer Afghan women cricketers the opportunity to engage with international players and participate in coaching workshops during major global tournaments.
The programme is a joint effort by the cricket boards of India, England, and Australia, overseen by ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja.
Successful organisation
In addition, the ICC confirmed that England will continue to host the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC) up to 2031.
ICC confirms @englandcricket will host the next three World Test Championship finals.https://t.co/M14Zd2ErmZ
— ICC (@ICC) July 21, 2025
This decision was made in recognition of England’s successful organisation of previous WTC finals, having already hosted the inaugural edition in 2021, followed by the 2023 and 2025 finals.
For context, South Africa currently holds the WTC title, after defeating defending champions Australia in last month’s final at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
