KABUL (BBC): The International Cricket Council are “concerned” for the future of women’s cricket in Afghanistan after the Taliban indicated it might be banned.
The deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission Ahmadullah Wasiq doesn’t ‘think’ women will be allowed.
Wasiq told Australian broadcaster SBS News it is not seen as “necessary” for women to play sport.
“I don’t think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play.”
In response to Wasiq’s broadcast, the ICC issued a statement to the PA news agency. It said: “The ICC is committed to the long-term growth of women’s cricket and despite the cultural and religious challenges in Afghanistan, steady progress had been made in this area since Afghanistan’s admission as a full member in 2017.
“The ICC has been monitoring the changing situation in Afghanistan and is concerned to note recent media reports that women will no longer be allowed to play cricket. This and the impact it will have on the continued development of the game will be discussed by the ICC board at its next meeting.”
The Taliban named a new government on Tuesday, three weeks after reclaiming power, but doubts remain over their regime rules. “So far, we don’t have any news from the government,” Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Hamid Shinwari said in a telephone interview with SBC and Reuters.
The men’s team have already received support by the Taliban, but the exclusion of the women’s team could yet affect the future of the men’s international team.
Under ICC rules, all 12 full members must have a national women’s team, with only full members able to play Test matches.
This could jeopardise the men’s team’s Test match against Australia in November.
