Scotland refuse bilateral series against Afghanistan over Taliban's treatment of women

Cricket Scotland has decided not to play a bilateral series against Afghanistan in protest against the deprivation of the rights of women and girls. The organisation said the decision was taken in view of the treatment of women and girls under the Taliban government and the overall human rights situation in the country.

However, it has no objection to playing Afghanistan in tournaments organised by the International Cricket Council. In a statement on Monday, Cricket Scotland said the decision was taken in view of its commitment to increasing the participation of women and girls in cricket and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, opportunities for women to play sport in Afghanistan have effectively ended. Opportunities for women in education and employment have also narrowed sharply.

The Taliban government claims that it respects women's rights according to its interpretation of Islamic law and local customs. In its view, the country's internal matters should be resolved locally.

Scotland's decision to suspend bilateral cricketing relations with Afghanistan is in line with the positions of Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board. Those two boards had already stepped back from bilateral series with Afghanistan, which gained full ICC membership in 2017.

Cricket Scotland said the policy will be reviewed annually, or if the ICC takes an important decision or the situation changes significantly.

Scotland and Afghanistan have not faced each other in a full international match since the 2021 T20 World Cup. Cricket Scotland said, however, that the Afghanistan Cricket Board had asked it for practice facilities before the men's team's series against Ireland in July.

It had also sought practice opportunities in Scotland in September ahead of the Afghanistan Premier League T20 tournament.

Cricket Scotland also said it would keep in mind its contractual obligations to players. If the ICC formally approves Afghanistan's domestic league, the organisation will consider issuing no-objection certificates for players to take part in it.

The statement made clear that if a no-objection certificate is issued to any player, it will not be regarded as support by Cricket Scotland for Afghanistan's current rulers or their policies.

The Reuters news agency contacted the Afghanistan Cricket Board for comment on the matter, but its response was not immediately available.