Scotland Cricket has severed all bilateral ties with Afghanistan outside the ICC tournament. The decision was taken due to wider human rights concerns and the treatment of women and girls by the Taliban government. The governing body will continue to play Afghanistan in ICC tournaments, but will not participate in bilateral series or triangular series until the status of women’s cricket and women’s officials in the country changes.

Why was the decision taken?

The decision was approved by the Cricket Scotland Board at a recent meeting. After the meeting, the board said, “Cricket Scotland will not play a bilateral series or a triangular series with the Afghanistan men’s team until there is a significant change in the women’s cricket and human rights situation in Afghanistan.”

Ban on women’s cricket

Scotland Cricket said the decision was made due to concerns about increasing the participation of women and girls in the game and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. After the Taliban came to power in 2021, women’s sports in the country have almost collapsed. Women and girls in Afghanistan are deprived of education and employment. Promoting and developing women’s and girls’ cricket is one of Cricket Scotland’s four strategic priorities.

The Australia-England board also took a decision

Cricket Australia and England Cricket Board have also taken similar decisions before Scotland. He has also suspended bilateral cricket ties with Afghanistan over concerns about women’s rights. The Taliban government says it respects women’s rights in accordance with Islamic law and local customs, and that internal matters should be resolved at the local level.

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