How ICC is working to change Taliban's stance on women's cricket

Amid growing calls for the South Africa and England cricket teams to boycott their matches against Afghanistan next month, you might wonder why the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not taken any action on the matter if the situation is so serious.

Both South Africa and England cricket teams have been urged by their respective politicians to boycott Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 over the Taliban’s decision to ban the women’s cricket team.

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have steadily eroded women’s rights in Afghanistan, banning girls from attending schools and universities. Women are also prohibited from visiting beauty salons, public parks, and gyms.

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Can ICC ban Afghanistan cricket team?

Yet, the ICC has not taken any action so far against Afghanistan.

But the real question is, can they? The answer is a resounding yes.

The ICC has the power to suspend a country if it’s in political turmoil or is not following the cricket body’s norms and code of conduct. It can also ban a team if there’s evidence of corruption. The interesting bit here is that ICC regulations require member nations to support both men’s and women’s national cricket teams.

When Afghanistan was granted full membership in 2017, an exemption was granted on the condition that efforts would be made to develop women’s cricket.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) offered central contracts to a group of 25 women players in 2020 to form a team, however, that team was disbanded after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

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This means Afghanistan can be suspended for not complying with the ICC’s constitution, however, the global cricketing body has adopted a wait-and-watch policy .

ICC makes Afghanistan Cricket Task Force to solve issue

A Sky News report says that ICC has an Afghanistan group that is attempting to use the popularity of cricket in the country to restore women’s rights.

“The ICC remains closely engaged with the situation in Afghanistan and continues to collaborate with our members,” an ICC spokesperson told Sky News. “We are committed to leveraging our influence constructively to support the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in fostering cricket development and ensuring playing opportunities for both men and women in Afghanistan.

“The ICC has established an Afghanistan Cricket Task Force, chaired by deputy chairman Mr Imran Khwaja, who will lead the ongoing dialogue on this matter.”

The ICC’s approach it seems is inspired by FIFA which has allowed Afghanistan’s men to play international football despite the national government’s interference. The footballing governing body has a reputation for banning national federations for government interference in administration, but it has taken a different approach in Afghanistan.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had also said that “political, social and religious contexts in different parts of the world are sometimes beyond our ability to influence”.

While ICC continues to wait for the Taliban to change its opinion, it has to be noted that Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board have decided not to play bilateral cricket with Afghanistan. They only compete against Afghanistan in ICC events.

Ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, England and South Africa, who are both part of Afghanistan’s group, have already stated that they will go ahead with their respective matches .