Islamabad, Mar 09, 2025: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is under pressure to take decisive action against Afghanistan following grave allegations of human rights violations under the Taliban regime.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for the suspension of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in response to the country’s ban on women’s participation in education and sports.
HRW urged ICC Secretary Jay Shah in a letter on Friday to suspend Afghanistan from international cricket until women and girls can resume education and sports.
The letter also emphasized the need for the ICC to adopt a human rights policy in alignment with the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
HRW’s appeal during the ICC Champions Trophy final highlighted that the Taliban’s actions violate the Olympic Charter’s guarantee of “the practice of sport is a human right.”
The Taliban’s crackdown on women’s sports has left many Afghan female cricketers in hiding, with some seeking refuge in Australia.
HRW pointed out the stark contrast in treatment between the Afghan men’s and women’s cricket teams, with the former receiving financial support while the latter has been entirely sidelined.
The ICC has yet to comment on HRW’s call, but Jay Shah previously acknowledged the challenges facing Afghan women cricketers, highlighting the organization’s commitment to supporting cricket in Afghanistan.
