ICC backs Afghan refugee women cricketers, targets 2030 pathway to international competition

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to continue supporting Afghan refugee women cricketers and has set a long-term goal of helping them compete in ICC qualification events by 2030.


At its Annual Conference in Edinburgh, the ICC Board approved the continuation of the Development Pathway Programme and re-formed a Special Task Force to prepare a roadmap for the team's future participation in international qualification tournaments.





The Task Force has also been expanded with ICC Independent Director Dr. Ros Rivaz and ICC Chief Executives' Committee member Sarah Keane joining representatives from the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board.


Dr. Rivaz said, "The Task Force has been entrusted with developing a clear and sustainable roadmap that supports the continued development of Afghan refugee women cricketers through structured coaching, meaningful competitive opportunities and appropriate high-performance pathways."

Support to continue with coaching, tours and more matches

The programme will continue providing players with cricket coaching, strength and conditioning support, physiotherapy and opportunities to train in the countries where they now live, including Australia, England and Canada.

The players will also continue to tour together, similar to their visits to India and England over the past year, with more competitive matches planned gradually to prepare them for ICC qualification events.


Afghan refugee cricketer Nahida Sapan welcomed the decision, saying, "This programme has already made a real difference to us, not only by helping us continue playing cricket, but by enabling us to come together and play as a team." She added, "We appreciate the recognition that we have the same rights and opportunities as players of other countries."

Players see 2030 as a clear goal

Fellow player Firooza Afghan said the tours had been life-changing.


"The opportunities to come together as a group and tour India and England have provided us some of the most memorable experiences in our lives," she said.


Former Australia cricketer Mel Jones also praised the initiative, saying, "The continued support for these remarkable women, alongside a clear roadmap towards ICC qualification pathways by 2030, represents an important commitment to their future." She added that the players have made "extraordinary" progress and now have a clear target to work towards.