The calls for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take a stand against Afghanistan keep getting louder—this time, it’s Human Rights Watch (HRW) turning up the heat. The global watchdog is pushing for Afghanistan’s suspension from international cricket, citing blatant violations of women’s rights under the Taliban regime. And really, it’s hard to argue otherwise—when half the population is barred from something as fundamental as education and sport, should their cricket board still get a seat at the table? It’s a question that keeps circling back, louder each time, demanding answers the ICC has so far been reluctant to give.
A Clear Message to the ICC
HRW didn’t mince words in its letter to Jay Shah on March 7, right before the Champions Trophy final in Dubai. The demand? That the ICC pull the plug on Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) membership until women and girls can freely return to education and sport. But that’s not all—they also want the ICC to finally get its act together and implement a human rights policy in line with UN principles. The ICC has long talked about fairness and equality, but in moments like this, words mean little without action.
The letter pointed out something pretty awkward for the ICC: cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. That alone means the sport should follow Olympic rules, which guarantee equal access. Yet, under Taliban rule, women can’t even step onto a field. That’s a direct violation of the Olympic Charter, which clearly states that “the practice of sport is a human right.” And if cricket wants to be in the Olympics, it might have to start acting like it. The question then isn’t just about Afghanistan—it’s about whether the ICC is willing to jeopardize cricket’s Olympic future to accommodate a regime that openly suppresses women.
HRW’s Director of Global Initiatives, Minky Worden, reminded everyone that international sports federations are required to uphold equality. If the ICC ignores this, it’s not just about Afghanistan—it’s about the integrity of the sport itself. But let’s be real, money talks louder than morals, and cricket’s big bosses aren’t exactly known for making the tough calls. Sponsors, lucrative broadcasting deals, political ties—it’s a web that complicates even the simplest ethical decisions. But at what cost?
A Double Standard That Can’t Be Ignored
This whole situation isn’t just some minor policy hiccup—it’s a full-blown contradiction. The Afghan men’s team gets ICC funding, logistical support, and global exposure while the women’s team? Completely erased. Buried. Forced into hiding—some of them currently seeking refuge in Australia. It’s a blatant case of selective enforcement. HRW pointed out that back in 1999, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had no problem suspending Afghanistan’s National Olympic Committee for the exact same reason.
They were only reinstated in 2003 after the Taliban lost power. So why is cricket getting a pass now?
It’s not just HRW making noise. Other cricket boards, including the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), have also called for action. Yet, the ICC keeps walking this tightrope—throwing out vague statements while doing the bare minimum. Jay Shah recently told the BBC that they’re “committed to supporting Afghan cricket development” while acknowledging “the challenges facing Afghan women’s cricket.” Sounds nice, right? But what does that even mean? What action is being taken? If anything, it sounds like a neatly crafted PR response meant to buy time, not solve the issue.
There’s also the question of precedent. If the ICC lets Afghanistan slide, what happens when another nation enforces discriminatory policies? What kind of message does it send to countries that have invested in women’s cricket, built pathways, and fought for inclusivity? Cricket isn’t just about bat and ball—it’s about who gets to play and who doesn’t. And right now, the message being sent is that some players matter more than others.
While the men’s game thrives, some Afghan athletes looking to participate in international leagues have found alternative ways to secure access—like using 1xbet apk login to navigate financial and logistical hurdles, given the lack of support from their own board. A sign of how deep the instability runs
Will the ICC Finally Step Up?
This isn’t going away. The longer the ICC stalls, the worse they look. There’s a simple choice here: enforce their own anti-discrimination policies and take a stand—or keep pretending like nothing’s wrong while the sport’s credibility slowly crumbles. The ball is in their court. But time is running out, and so is patience.
With international pressure mounting, and the 2028 Olympics looming, ignoring this issue isn’t going to be an option for much longer. Maybe it’s time the ICC figures out which side of history they want to be on. Because when the dust settles, when future generations look back at this moment, they won’t just be asking what the Taliban did to women’s cricket. They’ll be asking what the ICC did in response.
