Many are wondering why the ICC has not yet addressed the growing chorus of voices calling for South Africa and England to skip their 2025 Champions Trophy matches against Afghanistan. The ban on the Afghan women’s cricket team by the Taliban, who have further limited women’s rights in the nation, has prompted the demand.
Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban have restricted access to beauty salons, public parks, and gyms, banned females from attending schools and colleges, and implemented other laws that limit women’s liberty. Political leaders from South Africa and England have called on their cricket teams to boycott Afghanistan matches in response to these activities, which have provoked worldwide indignation.
Does the International Cricket Council have the authority to suspend the Afghan cricket team?
No action has been taken by the ICC thus far, despite the seriousness of the issue. Is banning Afghanistan’s cricket squad a serious possibility, though? Without a doubt, sure. In cases of political unrest or noncompliance with its norms, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has the power to suspend a nation. Members of the International Cricket Council are required to cheer on their respective national women’s and men’s cricket teams.
It was understood that Afghanistan will make an attempt to promote women’s cricket when they were given full ICC membership in 2017. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) attempted to build a side in 2020 by offering central contracts to 25 female players. After the Taliban regained control, however, the women’s squad was dismantled. Although the ICC has chosen to wait and watch, Afghanistan’s ban might be triggered by their reluctance to encourage women’s cricket.
The International Cricket Council has formed a Cricket Task Force in Afghanistan in light of the current scenario. Teaming up with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the group headed by ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja is tackling the problem and getting men’s and women’s cricket back on the radar in Afghanistan. A representative from the International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that the group will use its power to help grow the sport of cricket in Afghanistan and level the playing field for men and women.
identical political meddling has not prevented Afghanistan’s men’s football team from playing internationally, and the ICC’s policy is identical to FIFA’s. Even FIFA has admitted that they can’t always influence the local political, social, and religious climates.
In contrast to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ongoing talks with the Taliban, the cricket governing bodies of England and Wales and Cricket Australia have decided to avoid bilateral cricket with Afghanistan in favor of attending solely ICC tournaments.
