The short version
- Displaced Afghan women cricketers urge international athletes to withdraw from the upcoming Afghanistan Premier League to avoid normalizing the exclusion of women from sport.
- The tournament, scheduled for December in the UAE, features prominent players from England and other nations despite lacking official sanctioning by the International Cricket Council.
- Critics highlight the contradiction between supporting Afghan cricket development and ignoring the systematic denial of rights to half the population under Taliban rule.
A growing controversy has emerged within the international cricket community as displaced Afghan women players condemn overseas athletes for signing contracts with the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League. The criticism centers on the ethical implications of participating in a men's franchise tournament while female participation in sport remains effectively outlawed in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Former national team members argue that these decisions send a damaging signal to the global community, suggesting that the suffering and exclusion of Afghan women can be disregarded for the sake of sporting entertainment or financial gain.
The league is set to commence in December in the United Arab Emirates, operating without formal sanctioning from the International Cricket Council. This lack of official endorsement has already prompted caution from some governing bodies. The England and Wales Cricket Board previously advised its players to reconsider their involvement, a stance that led to the withdrawal of batter Ollie Pope. Despite these warnings, eight English players have secured deals for the tournament, including Alex Hales, Tymal Mills, Joe Clarke, Olly Stone, Moeen Ali, Luke Wood, Tom Moores, and Chris Wood. England now holds the largest overseas representation in the league, surpassing other participating nations.
Beyond the English contingent, the draft has attracted significant talent from across the cricketing world. Scotland’s George Munsey and Ireland’s Curtis Campher have joined the roster, alongside major international stars such as Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, and Kamindu Mendis. Australian batter D’Arcy Short, South African spinner Imran Tahir, and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan are also among the notable signings. The breadth of international participation underscores the league’s appeal to players seeking competitive opportunities, even as it draws sharp rebuke from those advocating for human rights in Afghanistan.
Nahida Sapan, who captained the Afghanistan Refugee Women’s XI during a tour of England this summer, emphasized that foreign players had a unique opportunity to stand with millions of Afghan women and girls by choosing not to participate. She noted that while abstaining might seem like a minor action, it could have delivered a powerful message and exerted pressure on those responsible for the current restrictions. Sapan clarified that the objection is not directed against cricket itself or the men’s game in Afghanistan, but rather against the failure to acknowledge basic human rights violations. She stressed that the dignity and freedom of Afghan women must take precedence over any league or sporting opportunity.
Firooza Amiri, another former player who fled to Australia, echoed these sentiments by calling on international athletes to ask difficult questions about the systems they may inadvertently support through their participation. Amiri argued that while players have the freedom to choose where they play, this liberty comes with a responsibility to understand the broader implications of their choices. She distinguished between supporting the people of Afghanistan and legitimizing a system that has systematically stripped women of their rights. Amiri urged the international cricket community to reflect on whether it is prepared to uphold its stated values when confronted with the reality of Afghan women’s exclusion from public life and sport.
The situation highlights a significant inconsistency in how international bodies treat Afghanistan’s cricketing institutions. The men’s team retains full membership in the International Cricket Council despite failing to meet the requirement of supporting a women’s national side. In contrast, the women’s team lacks official ICC recognition and competes as the Afghan Refugee Women’s Team. Although a joint program announced in April 2025 by the ICC and cricket boards from England, Australia, and India provided financial support for the displaced players, this funding does not equate to formal recognition or restoration of their status within the sport’s governing structure.
The debate extends beyond the league itself to broader diplomatic and sporting relations. Both England and Australia have refused to schedule bilateral cricket matches with Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. However, England has continued to compete against Afghanistan in global events, including World Cups and the Champions Trophy. This selective engagement has drawn criticism from members of parliament who called for a boycott of the 2025 Champions Trophy match. The disparity between bilateral isolation and tournament participation fuels arguments that the international community is sending mixed signals regarding its stance on human rights abuses.
Amiri posed a poignant challenge to the cricketing world, asking players and officials to imagine their own daughters, sisters, or wives being denied education, sports, and public participation solely because of their gender. She argued that celebrating the development of cricket in Afghanistan while ignoring the complete exclusion of half its population is untenable. The core question remains whether the international community is willing to prioritize human rights over sporting interests. As the league approaches its start date, the actions of participating players will likely be scrutinized not just for their athletic merit, but for their moral alignment with the plight of Afghan women.
The displaced cricketers continue to press the ICC for clear answers regarding the future of women’s cricket in Afghanistan and a commitment to long-term funding. Their appeals underscore the urgency of addressing the systemic barriers that prevent Afghan women from participating in sport. Without official recognition and sustained support, the prospects for rebuilding a national women’s team remain uncertain. The controversy surrounding the Afghanistan Premier League serves as a focal point for these broader issues, highlighting the tension between commercial sporting ventures and ethical responsibilities in a deeply polarized political landscape.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Women's rights matter more than any league, say Afghan cricketers
