Scotland Ends Afghanistan Bilateral Cricket Ties
Cricket Scotland has decided to suspend Afghanistan bilateral cricket outside International Cricket Council (ICC) events, citing the Taliban government’s treatment of women and girls and wider human rights concerns. The board said it will still play Afghanistan when the ICC requires it to do so at its events.
The decision means Scotland will not arrange bilateral series or take part in tri-series involving the Afghanistan men’s team unless there is a material change in the circumstances around women’s cricket in Afghanistan and broader human rights in the country. The policy will be reviewed each year, or after any significant ICC decision or material change in circumstances.
Cricket Scotland said its decision was guided by its commitment to growing women’s and girls’ participation in the sport, as well as the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Women’s sport has effectively disappeared in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, while access to education and work for women has been severely cut back.
Why Afghanistan bilateral cricket is on hold
Cricket Scotland’s board began a review of its engagement with the Afghanistan Cricket Board earlier this summer. The review followed a request from the Afghan board to use training facilities in Scotland ahead of Afghanistan’s tour of Ireland. The request was declined because of its short notice and the lack of suitable venues. The review was also prompted by an approach from the Afghan board about Scottish players for the planned Afghanistan Premier League T20 tournament.
“Cricket Scotland will comply with its obligations as set out in its contracts with its players,” the board said in a statement. “If an NOC is issued, participation by the player/s must not be interpreted as an endorsement by Cricket Scotland of the current Afghan regime or its policies.”
All of Scotland’s centrally contracted men’s and women’s players were informed of the revised policy on Monday, according to ESPNcricinfo. The board said it would not “proactively schedule” fixtures against Afghanistan “unless there is a material change in the circumstances surrounding Afghanistan women’s cricket and wider human rights considerations”.
Scotland follows Australia and England
Cricket Scotland’s decision follows similar positions adopted by Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board on bilateral cricket with Afghanistan. Both boards have declined to schedule bilateral series against Afghanistan over concerns about women’s rights.
Scotland have not played Afghanistan in a full international match since the 2021 T20 World Cup. The two sides have met in warm-up fixtures ahead of the last two editions of the tournament, in 2024 and 2026. Under the new policy, Scotland will only face Afghanistan when required to do so by the ICC at its events, including warm-up matches. It will not host or take part in pre-tour training camps or practice matches involving Afghanistan outside ICC events.
Afghanistan were granted Full Member status by the ICC in 2017, despite not meeting the requirement to fund a women’s national team and set up development structures for women’s cricket. Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport in the country has effectively vanished, and experts have described the restrictions placed on women and girls as “gender apartheid”.
What the decision means for players
The policy does not stop Scottish players from taking part in franchise cricket. George Munsey, a regular on the franchise circuit, was the only Scottish player picked in last week’s draft for the planned Afghanistan Premier League. Cricket Scotland said it would issue him a No-Objection Certificate if the ICC sanctions the league, and that his participation must not be read as an endorsement of the Afghan regime.
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh to reach the semi-finals of the U19 Asia Cup. Pakistan named its squad for the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy. Afghanistan won the Hong Kong Sixes title by beating Australia. The ICC has released the schedule for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027.
Frequently asked questions
What has Cricket Scotland decided?
Cricket Scotland will not schedule bilateral matches against Afghanistan outside ICC events. It will still play Afghanistan when the ICC requires it at its tournaments, including warm-up matches.
Why did Scotland take this decision?
The board cited the Taliban government’s treatment of women and girls and wider human rights concerns in Afghanistan. It said the decision reflects its commitment to growing women’s and girls’ participation in cricket.
Will Scotland still play Afghanistan at ICC events?
Yes. Scotland will take part in any fixtures against Afghanistan at ICC events that are set by tournament rules. It will not arrange bilateral series, tri-series or training camps outside ICC events.
What happens to Scottish players in the Afghanistan Premier League?
George Munsey was the only Scottish player picked in the league draft. Cricket Scotland said it would issue him a No-Objection Certificate if the ICC sanctions the league, and that his participation must not be read as an endorsement of the Afghan regime.
Have other boards taken the same step?
Yes. Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board have also suspended bilateral cricket with Afghanistan over concerns about women’s rights.
