Underscoring cricket’s capacity to unite and uplift, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday announced the creation of a dedicated task force and financial support system aimed at assisting displaced Afghan women cricketers.
The initiative, backed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA), marks a powerful statement of solidarity and hope.
The ICC has committed to establishing a dedicated fund that will provide direct financial assistance to the affected athletes, many of whom were forced to flee Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power and subsequent ban on women participating in sports. Alongside this, a high-performance program featuring elite coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and personalised mentorship will be rolled out to help these cricketers rebuild their sporting careers.
“At the International Cricket Council, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances,” said ICC Chairman Jay Shah.
“This initiative reflects our steadfast dedication to cricket’s global growth and its power to inspire unity, resilience, and hope.”
Among the strongest voices advocating for Afghan women cricketers has been Melbourne-based Nahida Sapan, Captain of the national team, who now continues to train with a group of fellow Afghan athletes in exile.
“This is more than just cricket,” Nahida told The Australia Today.
“With this ICC support, we can train with dignity and compete with pride.”
“It is about reclaiming our identity, our passion, and our right to dream. We’ve lost our homeland, but not our hope,” Nahida said.
“I want to inspire young girls back home that there is hope for them to shine if they decide to pursue the game of cricket.”
Melbourne has become a second home for many members of the exiled Afghan women’s cricket team, and their story recently received global attention thanks to the film My Melbourne, produced by Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM. The film documents the team’s journey from oppression to empowerment, capturing their resilience and fight to keep the sport alive.
“The story of these brave women needed to be told,” said Lange.
“Their struggle is symbolic of what sport can do for those who have had everything else taken away.
This ICC initiative validates their courage and gives them the chance to rewrite their future.”
Cricket Australia has also pledged its full support to integrate the displaced players into domestic structures where possible, further enhancing their opportunities to train and eventually compete on the world stage.
The ICC hopes the new initiative will serve as a template for future humanitarian collaborations in sport. While the fund and support programs will be rolled out in phases, beginning later this year, the symbolic impact of the announcement is already resonating with displaced athletes and cricketing communities around the world.
“This is not just a win for Afghan women cricketers,” Nahida added.
“It’s a win for every girl who dares to play, even when the world says she can’t.”
The ICC’s announcement comes at a critical time, as global conversations around women’s rights, sport, and displacement continue to intensify. With funding, mentorship, and high-performance pathways now in place, a new innings is about to begin for Afghanistan’s exiled women cricketers.
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