Where Do Afghanistan's Cricketers Call Home?

Afghanistan's cricket players have lived in several places over the years, with the team often playing home matches outside of the country due to security concerns and a lack of international-standard facilities. In the early 2000s, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) was formed and the team began to enjoy success. In the following years, the team practised cricket and played home matches in and around New Delhi, India. However, after the Taliban retook power, this arrangement was disrupted as India tightened visa issuance to Afghan nationals.

In recent years, the ACB has arranged UAE residency visas for its players to avoid travel issues when it comes to cricket tours. The UAE has served as Afghanistan's 'home' for cricket, with the Emirates Cricket Board agreeing to house Afghan players and provide logistical and visa support in Dubai for the next five years. Several players also live in the UAE to avoid logistical issues.

Prior to this, Afghanistan played 'home' matches in India, with the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida serving as the home ground for the national team from 2017 until 2018, when it changed its home base to the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun. In 2019, the Afghanistan Cricket Board requested the BCCI for a new home stadium, and the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, was approved.

Afghanistan cricket players live in the UAE

Afghanistan's cricket players live in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to security concerns in their home country. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has arranged UAE residency visas for about two dozen players to avoid travel issues for cricket tours. The country is a strict no-go zone for international teams, with the UAE effectively serving as their home base. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has agreed to host Afghanistan's 'home' matches for the next five years and provide logistical support, including visa assistance and office space.

The Afghanistan men's national cricket team has enjoyed success in the early 21st century, becoming an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001 and gaining full ICC membership and Test status in 2017. However, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 raised concerns about the future participation of the national cricket team in international matches, as well as the safety of Afghan cricketers and their families.

Despite the challenges, cricket remains wildly popular in Afghanistan, and the men's game is one of the few pastimes accepted by the Taliban regime. The ICC and the ECB have provided support to ensure that the Afghanistan cricket team has a home base and can continue to participate in international competitions.

They previously lived and played cricket in India

Afghanistan's cricket team has had a somewhat tumultuous history, with the team moving their home ground several times over the years. In the early 2000s, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) was formed and the team began to enjoy international success. However, due to the persistent conflict and insecurity in Afghanistan, the team has often had to play their home matches in other countries.

Indeed, for several years, the Afghanistan national cricket team played and lived in India. In 2017, the team moved its home ground to Dehradun, India, and later to the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in the same city. During this time, the Afghanistan Cricket Federation (ACB) also received support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with the BCCI providing technical and professional support, including coaching courses, skill and performance analysis, and basic umpiring courses.

In addition to the support from the BCCI, the ACB also received funding from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to develop the National Cricket Academy in Kabul. This support from both the BCCI and the ICC helped to improve the infrastructure and resources available to the Afghanistan cricket team while they were living and playing in India.

However, in 2019, the ACB requested the BCCI for a new home stadium, and the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, was approved as the new home ground for the team. This move was likely influenced by the tightening of visa issuance to Afghan nationals by India following the Taliban's retake of power in Afghanistan. Despite this, several Afghanistan cricket players have continued to be hosted by Indian celebrities, such as Irfan Pathan, who welcomed players to his residence in Mumbai before a match with Australia in 2023.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board arranges UAE residency visas

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has had to make several adjustments since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. One of the main changes has been arranging UAE residency visas for about two dozen players to avoid travel issues for cricket tours. The ACB has also had to find a new "home" for the Afghanistan cricket team, as security concerns have prevented teams from touring Afghanistan.

In November 2022, the ACB announced that the United Arab Emirates would host Afghanistan's 'home' matches for the next five years. This decision was made in part due to security concerns and the Taliban's ban on women in cricket, which led to questions about Afghanistan's ICC Full Membership. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) agreed to provide logistical support, including visa assistance and office space, and an annual three-match T20 series against the Emirati side.

The ACB's chief executive, Naseeb Khan, expressed hope that this agreement would serve the future goals of both cricket boards. Mubashir Usmani, the general secretary of the ECB, affirmed their support for the ACB, stating that they are "happy to support the ACB in ensuring that they have a home for their cricket."

The arrangement with the ECB has provided stability for the Afghanistan cricket team, allowing them to continue participating in international cricket despite the challenges posed by the Taliban regime. The ACB's efforts to secure UAE residency visas for its players have been instrumental in facilitating their ability to train, travel, and compete in cricket tournaments.

The Taliban banned women from playing sports

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has had a profound impact on the country, including the world of sports. Women's cricket and other sports that involve physical exposure are now banned under the Taliban regime, as they contradict the group's strict interpretation of Islam and its teachings. This decision has disrupted the progress of women's cricket in Afghanistan and forced female athletes to either hide or flee the country.

Ahmadullah Wasiq, the deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, stated that women's participation in sports is unnecessary and inappropriate, particularly when it leads to exposure of their bodies and faces. He emphasized that Islam does not condone such exposure, and the presence of media with photos and videos further justifies the ban. Wasiq also asserted that the Taliban would not compromise their religious values, even in the face of opposition.

This stance has drawn international condemnation, with Australia's sports minister, Richard Colbeck, urging the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take a stand against this decision. The ICC, which requires its members to maintain national women's teams, expressed concern over the ban. The future of Afghanistan's men's cricket team is also at stake due to these developments.

The Taliban's prohibition of women's sports is part of a broader pattern of restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan. The group has barred girls from attending schools and universities and restricted women's access to parks, gyms, and certain types of employment. Women athletes in Afghanistan now live in fear of threats and intimidation, with some choosing to leave the country while others continue to practice their sports in secret.

Despite the challenges, some women remain determined to pursue their athletic passions. A 20-year-old mixed martial artist shared her experience of practicing at home and teaching her close friends, refusing to let the circumstances dampen her fighting spirit.

Cricket is one of the few pastimes accepted by the Taliban

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has had to make some adjustments to accommodate the new regime. Several members of the ACB fled the country after the Taliban takeover, and the board has had to arrange UAE residency visas for its players to avoid travel issues for cricket tours. The ACB has also faced financial challenges due to sponsors pulling out and difficulties with banking and foreign exchange. Despite these complications, the ACB is committed to expanding and improving cricket in Afghanistan, with plans to develop infrastructure and coaching in other regions beyond Kabul.

The Afghanistan men's national cricket team has been playing since the mid-19th century but only began to enjoy success in the early 21st century. The team gained full membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017, becoming the first country to achieve this status after holding affiliate membership. Afghanistan is now a Test-playing nation and is ranked 10th in Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket as of February 2023. The team holds the world record for the second-highest T20I score.

The Afghanistan cricket team has faced some setbacks, including the tightening of visa issuance by India, which previously served as their home base. They also faced criticism after the Taliban banned women from playing sports, leading to calls for the ICC to suspend the country's membership. Despite these challenges, the Afghanistan cricket team has continued to perform well, defeating former World Cup champions Sri Lanka and securing a historic victory over England in the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

The team is supported by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), which has agreed to host Afghanistan's 'home' matches and provide logistical and visa support. Several Afghanistan cricketers also live in the UAE to avoid logistical issues. The Afghanistan cricket team has come a long way and continues to persevere despite the challenges posed by the Taliban regime.

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