ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Robert Dickson, Britain’s chargé d’affaires to Afghanistan, voiced support for the country’s exiled women’s cricket team, expressing hope that they will soon return to competition despite the Taliban’s sweeping restrictions on women’s sports.
He made the remarks after Afghanistan’s men’s team secured a narrow victory over England in the ICC Champions Trophy.
“Congratulations to the Afghan men’s cricket team on a close-run victory over [England],” Mr. Dickson wrote on social media. “Hope to see the Afghan women’s team in action soon.”
Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban have barred women and girls from participating in sports, part of a broader crackdown on female education and public life. The ban has drawn international condemnation, particularly from the cricketing world, where Afghanistan’s full membership in the International Cricket Council (ICC) has faced increasing scrutiny.
The absence of a women’s national team has led to rebukes from fellow ICC member nations. Cricket Australia has twice canceled bilateral series against Afghanistan, citing concerns over the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights.
Earlier this year, more than 200 British lawmakers signed a letter urging the England and Wales Cricket Board to boycott matches against Afghanistan in protest. The proposal was ultimately rejected by Britain’s culture secretary, who argued that Afghan players should not be penalized for Taliban-imposed policies.
Despite the Taliban’s ban, Afghan women cricketers living in exile have sought to keep the sport alive. Last month, Afghanistan’s refugee women’s team played its first match since the Taliban takeover in Melbourne, Australia.
