Cricket In Afghanistan: A Unifying Force In A Nation's Turbulent History

Cricket is the most popular sport in Afghanistan, with the Afghanistan national cricket team representing the country in international cricket matches. The sport has a long history in the country, dating back to the 19th century, and has brought success and pride to the nation on the world stage. However, the recent Taliban takeover has posed challenges and controversies for cricket in Afghanistan, particularly regarding women's participation and human rights issues.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)

Cricket in Afghanistan was first played during the 19th-century Anglo-Afghan Wars by British troops in Kabul in 1839. However, no lasting cricket legacy was left by the British, and it was not until the 1990s that cricket became popular among Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The Afghanistan Cricket Federation was formed in 1995, and cricket returned to Afghanistan in late 2001.

The Afghanistan Cricket Federation was originally banned by the ruling Taliban but became an exception in 2000. In 2001, the Federation was elected as an affiliate member of the ICC. The Afghanistan national cricket team earned official One Day International status in April 2009 after a 21-run win over Namibia in Krugersdorp. The team qualified for the 2012 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and played its first 50-over World Cup in 2015, winning one match against Scotland. Afghanistan has also played in three T20 World Cups: 2010, 2012, and 2014.

The ACB unveiled a strategic plan in July 2016 to become a top-six ODI team by 2019 and a top-three team in both T20Is and ODIs by 2025. To achieve this, the ACB proposed annual bilateral matches against India and teams touring India. In June 2017, Afghanistan was granted Test nation status by the ICC, sharing this honour with Ireland.

The Afghanistan national women's cricket team was formed in November 2010 to promote female participation in cricket and allow for a parallel team to the men's. The Afghanistan Cricket Board also maintained a women's national cricket team, which became inactive following the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August 2021.

The Taliban's stance on cricket

During the Taliban's rule from 1996 to 2001, men's sports were strictly controlled, and women were barred entirely from participating in any athletic activities. The Taliban imposed restrictions on attire, prohibiting what they deemed "inappropriate" clothing for sportsmen, and banned games during prayer times. As a result, cricket, like all other sports, was originally banned by the Taliban.

However, in 2000, an exception was made for cricket, and the Afghanistan Cricket Federation was recognised as an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) the following year. This exception paved the way for the development of cricket in Afghanistan, with the national cricket team rapidly rising to become serious contenders in international men's championships. The sport flourished, particularly among Afghan refugees in neighbouring Pakistan, and soon became the most popular sport in the country.

Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the future of cricket in the country became uncertain. Several members of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) fled, and there were concerns about the team's participation in international competitions, especially given the Taliban's regressive stance on women's rights and their intention to replace the Afghan flag and national anthem. The ICC does not recognise the Taliban as a legitimate ruling force in Afghanistan, creating a dilemma for the governing body.

Despite these challenges, the Taliban has continued to express support for cricket. Taliban leaders have met with national cricket players and provided assurances about their security and the continuation of the sport. The group's current head of the National Olympic Committee, Nazar Mohammad Mutmaeen, stated that no sports are currently banned in Afghanistan, and the Taliban has emphasised its commitment to national cricket.

However, the Taliban's stance on women's participation in cricket remains a significant issue. In December 2022, the Taliban banned women from attending universities and working for various organisations, sparking worldwide condemnation. This prompted Cricket Australia to cancel a pre-scheduled series of matches against Afghanistan in March 2023, citing the Taliban's restrictions on the freedoms of women and girls. Human Rights Watch also called on the ICC to suspend the Afghanistan Cricket Board's membership until women and girls can participate in education and sport in the country.

While the future of women's cricket in Afghanistan remains uncertain, men's cricket has continued amid the political turmoil. The Afghanistan men's cricket team has faced logistical challenges, with many players residing in the UAE to avoid travel issues. Despite losing sponsors and facing financial difficulties, the team has persevered and continued to participate in international competitions.

In summary, the Taliban's stance on cricket in Afghanistan is ambiguous. While they have expressed support for the sport and allowed men's cricket to continue, their regressive policies on women's rights and their lack of recognition by the ICC have created uncertainty and challenges for the future of cricket in the country.

The Afghanistan national cricket team

The Afghanistan men's national cricket team represents Afghanistan in international cricket. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) was formed in 1995 and became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001. Cricket has been played in Afghanistan since the mid-19th century, but the national team only began to enjoy success in the early 21st century.

The Afghanistan Cricket Federation (ACF) received recognition from the ICC in 2001, and the team began playing in Pakistan's domestic setup in the 2001-02 season. They participated in the second division of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, drawing two and losing three of their five games. In 2004, they started playing in Asian regional tournaments, finishing sixth in their first ACC Trophy.

The Afghanistan national team has had a number of coaches over the years, including former Pakistani cricketers Kabir Khan and Rashid Latif, as well as Jonathan Trott, Lalchand Rajput, and Phil Simmons. The current coach is former West Indies player Phil Simmons.

Cricket's popularity in Afghanistan

Cricket is the most popular sport in Afghanistan. It is particularly popular in the east and south of the country, along the border with Pakistan, where cricket is also very popular. The sport was first introduced to Afghans by refugees who had lived in Pakistan in the 1990s, after they fled the Soviet invasion.

Cricket was banned by the Taliban during their rule, which began in 1996, but the ban was lifted in 2000, making it the only approved sport. In 2001, when a US-led invasion toppled the Taliban, the national team was formed, and the Afghanistan Cricket Federation was elected as an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The national team first gained recognition in 2008, rising from Division 5 to the cusp of qualification for the World Cup in 2011. More success followed, including qualification for subsequent World Cups and victories over test-playing opponents. The team's success has increased funding for the sport, with cricket grounds being built across the country.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is the official governing body of cricket in Afghanistan and is based in Kabul. Afghanistan became a full member of the ICC on 22 June 2017, enabling the national team to participate in official Test matches.

The popularity of cricket in Afghanistan is also evident in the number of cricket academies that have opened around the country to cater to the growing demand. Dozens of new academies have sprung up, and the government has invested in the sport and in cricket academies. The success of the national team has inspired many young Afghans to take up the sport, and cricket is now a source of national pride in a country torn apart by conflict.

Cricket Australia's boycott

Cricket Australia's decision to boycott Afghanistan has been met with a chorus of criticism from Afghan cricketers, fans, and former officials. The boycott was announced in January 2023, in response to the Taliban's restrictions on the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. The Australian government supported the decision, with the sports minister, Anika Wells, stating that the Taliban's "systematic removal of women and girls from public life is unacceptable."

Afghan Criticism of the Boycott

The Afghan Cricket Board (ACB) called the boycott "pathetic" and "extremely disappointing," arguing that it undermines the integrity of the game and prioritises political interests over fair play and sportsmanship. Afghan cricketers, including Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq Murid, also condemned the boycott, with some threatening to pull out of the Big Bash League in response. Khan, the face of Afghan cricket and the captain of the country's T20 team, argued that the boycott "punishes" the Afghan people and sets back their progress on the world stage. He and other Afghan cricketers emphasised the importance of cricket as a source of national pride and happiness in a country ravaged by decades of war and conflict.

Impact on Women's Cricket in Afghanistan

The boycott has sparked debate over whether sanctions are an effective way to improve women's rights in Afghanistan. Tuba Sangar, the former women's development manager of the ACB, warned that boycotting the men's national team would "destroy the hope of the Afghan people" and would not help women to play cricket. She emphasised that the men's team has inspired women and girls in Afghanistan to take up the sport and that cutting off the men's team from the rest of the cricket world would do more harm than good. Sangar also called for the 25 female cricketers who formed Afghanistan's first women's team to be flown out of Afghanistan to a secure place where they can continue to play.

Previous Boycotts by Cricket Australia

This is not the first time Cricket Australia has boycotted Afghanistan. In 2021, they cancelled the first men's Test match between the countries, which was scheduled to be played in Hobart, due to concerns over women's access to the sport in Afghanistan following the Taliban's seizure of power. They also boycotted a one-off Test match against Afghanistan in November 2021.

International Response

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has described the Taliban's treatment of women as "concerning" but has not recommended boycotts. The ICC's chief executive, Geoff Allardice, stated that the lack of progress on women's cricket in Afghanistan is a "concern" and that the matter will be discussed at the next board meeting.

Frequently asked questions