ICC targets 2030 qualification pathway for Afghan refugee women's team

The ICC has committed to a 2030 target for the Afghan refugee women's cricket team to enter its qualification pathway for international events.

The decision was ratified at the ICC Annual Conference in Edinburgh, where the board reconstituted its Special Task Force to oversee a long-term roadmap for the squad. This marks the first time the ICC has outlined a timeline for the team's potential participation in ICC qualification events. The team will not compete as Afghanistan as they lack the backing of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

The expanded Task Force includes ICC Independent Director Ros Rivaz and ICC Chief Executives' Committee member Sarah Keane, alongside representatives from the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the ECB.

"The Task Force has been entrusted with developing a clear and sustainable roadmap that supports the continued development of Afghan refugee women cricketers through structured coaching, meaningful competitive opportunities and appropriate high-performance pathways," Rivaz said.

The programme, launched earlier this year, provides players with coaching, strength and conditioning support, physiotherapy and progressively stronger competitive opportunities. Players based across Australia, England and Canada will remain part of their local cricket systems while assembling periodically for overseas training camps and tours.

This follows the ECB hosting an Afghanistan Refugee Women's Team tour that included T20 matches and high-performance training in partnership with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and MCC Foundation. An Afghanistan women's team also played against a 'Cricket Without Borders XI' in January 2025 ahead of the Women's Ashes Test at the MCG.

The initiative stems from the displacement of Afghanistan's women cricketers after the Taliban returned to power in 2021, ending the country's women's cricket programme before it played an international match.

Nahida Sapan said the initiative had helped the group stay connected through cricket. "This programme has already made a real difference to us, not only by helping us continue playing cricket, but by enabling us to come together and play as a team."

Fellow player Firooza Afghan said: "A long term view of participation in ICC qualification pathways gives us a clear goal to work towards, and we are determined to make the most of every opportunity along that journey."

The relocation and support of players has been facilitated by It's Game On, co-founded by former Australian cricketer Mel Jones, Emma Staples and Dr Catherine Orway. Jones played a pivotal role in helping players relocate to Australia.

"The continued support for these remarkable women, alongside a clear roadmap towards ICC qualification pathways by 2030, represents an important commitment to their future," Jones said.