Cricket Scotland draws line between ties with Afghanistan over women's rights concerns

Cricket Scotland has decided to scale back its cricket engagement with Afghanistan, ruling out bilateral and tri-series matches outside of ICC events due to the Taliban government’s treatment of women and girls. The board will also refuse to host pre-tour Afghanistan training camps or participate in practice matches outside of ICC competitions.

The decision follows a review of Cricket Scotland’s engagement with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), prompted by requests for training facilities and discussions about the proposed Afghanistan Premier League (APL). In a statement released on Monday, the board outlined its new policy and made it clear that it will only face Afghanistan when required by the ICC’s competition regulations.

“Cricket Scotland will not proactively plan a bilateral series or participate in a tri-series involving Afghanistan Men unless there is a substantial change in circumstances surrounding women’s cricket in Afghanistan and wider human rights considerations,” the statement read.

“Cricket Scotland will continue to participate in any matches against Afghanistan Men in ICC events as determined by the ICC competition regulations. Participation in these matches should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the current Afghan regime or its policies,” he added.

Cricket Scotland said its decision was guided by its commitment to the growth of women’s and girls’ cricket, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and the treatment of women under the Taliban regime. The board also considered the positions of the other major cricket governing bodies and said the policy would be reviewed annually or after any significant ICC decision or material change in circumstances.

WHY DID SCOTLAND

The review began after the ACB approached Cricket Scotland in July with a request for access to training facilities ahead of Afghanistan’s men’s series against Ireland. The request was denied due to operational constraints and the need for the board to consider its position. A second approach in September, on the proposed APL, further informed the review.

Scotland have not played Afghanistan in a full international since the 2021 T20 World Cup, although the sides have met in warm-up matches ahead of the 2024 and 2026 editions.

The board’s decision rests on three general considerations:

The Treatment of Women and Girls: The Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan and the Restrictions Imposed by the Taliban Government.
Cricket Scotland’s commitments: Its strategic priority is to grow women’s and girls’ cricket and embed equality across the sport.
The wider cricket environment: Positions taken by other major cricket boards and consultation with government.

WHAT THE NEW POLICY MEANS

Cricket Scotland has drawn clear boundaries around its future engagement in Afghanistan:

ICC competitions remain unaffected: Scotland will fulfill the draw against Afghanistan if required by ICC competition regulations, including prescribed warm-up matches.
No bilateral or tri-series commitments: The Council will not proactively plan a series involving Afghanistan unless there is a substantial change in circumstances surrounding women’s cricket and wider human rights concerns.
No help with tour preparations: Afghanistan will not host training camps, practice matches or warm-up matches outside of ICC events.
Players can still feature in the APL: Cricket Scotland will honor its contractual obligations and consider issuing no-objection certificates, subject to the league receiving ICC sanctions.

The Policy will be revised annually or after a significant decision by the ICC or a material change in circumstances.

George Munsey was the only Scottish player selected in last week’s APL draft. An opening batsman who features regularly in franchise cricket could still feature in the competition.

Cricket Scotland has confirmed it will issue a no-objection certificate to Munsey if the league receives ICC sanction. However, she emphasized that the participation of any player would not imply support for the Afghan regime or its policies.

WIDER CRICKET STAND

Cricket Scotland’s decision reflects the positions taken by Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on bilateral cricket with Afghanistan.

Afghanistan gained ICC full member status in 2017 despite not meeting the funding requirement for the women’s national team and development structures. Conditions for women and girls have worsened significantly since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, with experts describing the restrictions imposed on them as gender apartheid.

Meanwhile, the ICC outlined a plan for an Afghanistan Refugee Women’s XI, primarily based in Australia, to potentially compete in its events until 2030. The team toured England this summer to coincide with the Women’s T20 World Cup.

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