The Afghanistan women's refugee cricket team is on the brink of securing an extension to its funding, a vital development for players who were forced into exile after the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan in 2021. A task force responsible for the programme met during the International Cricket Council's (ICC) annual conference in Edinburgh and has formally recommended that support for the team should continue.
This recommendation is now due to be presented to the ICC board by outgoing deputy chair Imran Khwaja at a meeting scheduled for Saturday. Significant backing for the proposal has come from officials representing the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia (CA), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Their strong support suggests the ICC board is highly likely to approve the extension.
The current support programme was established last year through a combined effort by the cricket boards of England, Australia, India, and the ICC. The three national boards are reportedly keen for the ICC to take on a more substantial role in the project moving forward, including a greater share of both funding and resources. Discussions at the board meeting will also cover the exact timeframe for the extended funding, with a commitment potentially extending until 2032.
Beyond financial support, a separate and significant proposal will be put before the ICC board: allowing the Afghan women's team to play official international cricket. Clare Connor, chair of the ICC Women's Cricket Committee, has prepared a formal paper on this matter. While this represents a crucial step, the issue remains complex due to the ICC's duty of care to Afghanistan Cricket Board officials, who operate under the Taliban's authority, and potential implications for men's cricket in the country.
Despite the challenges, the fact that the prospect of official international matches has reached board level is considered a landmark moment, providing a foundation for future discussions. The team, currently based and training in Australia, recently concluded a tour of the UK. They met with ICC President Jay Shah and other officials at Lord's before the Women's T20 World Cup final on 5 July, where their calls for recognition and long-term funding were reportedly well received by influential figures.