ICC unimpressed with Afghanistan over progress of women's cricket

Afghanistan Cricket Team (Source: Twitter)

With Australia pulling out of the Afghanistan series, the matter is only worsening for one of the youngest full members of the ICC. The lack of support and initiative for women's cricket has caused trouble in the cricketing circle, especially the governing body.

Previously, the ICC appointed a review committee to report on the condition of the sport in the women's sector which have not improved a bit in the recent past. The committee headed by ICC deputy chairman Imran Khawaja had a few discussions with the board who agreed to work in principle and support the development of cricket.

However, since then no efforts were made which has caused the ICC and some member boards to re-think about playing with Afghanistan, most recently Australia.

The issue most recently highlighted when the teams for the upcoming U-19 Women's Cricket World Cup were revealed and the only team missing was from the Afghan nation. To the unversed, Taliban have imposed a ban on the education of women in the country.

CEO Geoff Allardice explained about the matter

"Obviously, the recent developments [banning higher education for girls] in Afghanistan are concerning. Our board has been monitoring progress since the change of regime. It is a concern that progress is not being made in Afghanistan and it's something our board will consider at its next meeting in March. As far as we are aware, there isn't activity at the moment."

Asad Ullah, former director in the Afghanistan Cricket Board said

"Women's cricket in Afghanistan has always been a burning issue and I don't see there is a solution right now. There will be a cultural challenge and we hardly have a pool of players in the country. In fact, there has never been a women's team even before the Taliban came into power."

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