Scotland Suspends Cricket Ties With Afghanistan Over Women’s Rights Concerns

Scotland – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Scotland suspends cricket matches against Afghanistan outside International Cricket Council (ICC) events. Cricket Scotland made the announcement on Monday. It said the move is linked to the treatment of women and girls and to wider human rights concerns.

Women’s sport has largely vanished in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Women have also lost many chances in education and work.

The Taliban government says it respects women’s rights under its own reading of religious law and local customs. It also says internal matters should be handled locally.

Scotland’s decision follows similar steps by Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board. Both have suspended bilateral ties with Afghanistan. The ICC made Afghanistan a Full Member in 2017.

Cricket Scotland said it will review the policy every year. It will also review it after any major ICC decision or a real change in circumstances.

The board said its choice rests on two things. One is its promise to grow women’s and girls’ cricket. The other is the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Scotland have not played Afghanistan in a full international since the 2021 Twenty20 World Cup. Even so, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) asked for training facilities in Scotland in July. That request came before its men’s series against Ireland.

The ACB asked again in September. That request was linked to the T20 Afghanistan Premier League.

Cricket Scotland also said it will respect its contract duties to players. It will issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) if the ICC officially approves the Afghan league.

The board made one point clear. If a player receives an NOC, taking part must not be seen as support for the current Afghan government or its policies.