Latest news with #AfghanistanCricketBoard
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
No cuts to Afghanistan Cricket Board funding planned by ICC
The Afghanistan Cricket Board will not see any of its funding from the International Cricket Council cut or diverted to its exiled women's initiative to support the displaced Afghan players was announced by the ICC following its board meeting in Zimbabwe last as reported by ESPN Cricinfo,, external cricket's global governing body will not reduce or siphon off money earmarked for the ACB, even though part of the criteria for full membership of the ICC is to support women's cricket. The ICC will support the Afghan women through a separate funding mechanism, while the ACB will continue to receive a payment believed to be in the region of £13m per of that funding will go towards men's cricket in Afghanistan, with women's sport outlawed in the country since the Taliban returned to power in ACB is the only full ICC member not to field a women's Afghanistan's women's cricketers will be funded by the ICC in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).An Afghanistan Women's XI played an exhibition match in Melbourne in January and want to be recognised as a refugee the ICC is understood to have acknowledged that the prospect of Afghanistan's women playing official international matches in the near future is a distant one as it would need to be sanctioned by the women have been promised a robust high-performance programme offering "advanced coaching, world-class facilities and tailored mentorship" which the ICC hopes will "help them reach their full potential".Afghanistan's men's team have retained their Test status, reached the semi-finals of last year's T20 World Cup and participated in the Champions Trophy earlier this Sport has approached the ACB for comment.
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
ICC announces formal support of funding and elite coaching for Afghanistan women's team
Afghan women cricketers will finally get high-level support in a bid to rejoin international competition after the sport's world governing body created a taskforce to coordinate direct funding, elite coaching and facilities for displaced players. Dozens of players from Afghanistan 's national women's team relocated to Australia after the Taliban retook control of the country in 2021 and enforced bans on women's sports. The players have been seeking official support ever since. The International Cricket Council released a statement late on Sunday saying it reached an agreement with the sport's national associations in Australia, India and England to support the displaced Afghan women's players. ICC chairman Jay Shah said his organisation is 'deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances.' 'The ICC believes this (support fund) will not only help preserve the sporting careers of Afghan women cricketers but also reinforce the sport's role as a unifying force that transcends borders and adversity," he said. An Afghanistan Women's XI played a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne's Junction Oval in an exhibition match supported by the Australian government in January, bringing together 21 female players who were formerly contracted to the Afghanistan Cricket Board. Since leaving Afghanistan many of the women cricketers have been based in the Australian capital and in Melbourne and playing for club teams in local competitions. Firooza Amiri said ahead of that exhibition match in January that her team 'represents millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights.' Amiri fled her home country with her family and first traveled to Pakistan before being evacuated to Australia. Under Taliban rule, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot field a national women's team because the country's laws forbid women from playing sport, studying and medical education, moves that have been criticised by world groups including the International Criminal Court. Afghanistan is a full member of the International Cricket Council and a condition of that status should require it to have a women's national team. England and Australia have refused to participate in direct series against Afghanistan in protest, but continue to play against the Afghan men in ICC events. It was the Afghanistan men's historic run to the semifinals of the Twenty20 World Cup last year that sparked the women's team members to again approach the ICC about funding. The group first approached the ICC in 2023, asking for support for a refugee team based in Australia to rejoin international cricket.
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Afghanistan women's team gets funding from the International Cricket Council
MELBOURNE: Afghan women cricketers will finally get high-level support in a bid to rejoin international competition after the sport's world governing body created a taskforce to coordinate direct funding, elite coaching and facilities for displaced players. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Dozens of players from Afghanistan's national women's team relocated to Australia after the Taliban retook control of the country in 2021 and enforced bans on women's sports. The players have been seeking official support ever since. The International Cricket Council released a statement late Sunday saying it reached an agreement with the sport's national associations in Australia, India and England to support the displaced Afghan women's players. ICC chairman Jay Shah said his organization is 'deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances.' 'The ICC believes this (support fund) will not only help preserve the sporting careers of Afghan women cricketers but also reinforce the sport's role as a unifying force that transcends borders and adversity,' he said. An Afghanistan Women's XI played a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne's Junction Oval in an exhibition match supported by the Australian government in January, bringing together 21 female players who were formerly contracted to the Afghanistan Cricket Board. Since leaving Afghanistan many of the women cricketers have been based in the Australian capital and in Melbourne and playing for club teams in local competitions. Firooza Amiri said ahead of that exhibition match in January that her team 'represents millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights.' Amiri fled her home country with her family and first traveled to Pakistan before being evacuated to Australia. Under Taliban rule, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot field a national women's team because the country's laws forbid women from playing sport, studying and medical education, moves that have been criticized by world groups including the International Criminal Court. Afghanistan is a full member of the International Cricket Council and a condition of that status should require it to have a women's national team. England and Australia have refused to participate in direct series against Afghanistan in protest, but continue to play against the Afghan men in ICC events. It was the Afghanistan men's historic run to the semifinals of the Twenty20 World Cup last year that sparked the women's team members to again approach the ICC about funding. The group first approached the ICC in 2023, asking for support for a refugee team based in Australia to rejoin international cricket.
The Independent
14-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Afghanistan women's team gets funding from the International Cricket Council
Afghan women cricketers will finally get high-level support in a bid to rejoin international competition after the sport's world governing body created a taskforce to coordinate direct funding, elite coaching and facilities for displaced players. Dozens of players from Afghanistan's national women's team relocated to Australia after the Taliban retook control of the country in 2021 and enforced bans on women's sports. The players have been seeking official support ever since. The International Cricket Council released a statement late Sunday saying it reached an agreement with the sport's national associations in Australia, India and England to support the displaced Afghan women's players. ICC chairman Jay Shah said his organization is 'deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances.' 'The ICC believes this (support fund) will not only help preserve the sporting careers of Afghan women cricketers but also reinforce the sport's role as a unifying force that transcends borders and adversity," he said. An Afghanistan Women's XI played a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne's Junction Oval in an exhibition match supported by the Australian government in January, bringing together 21 female players who were formerly contracted to the Afghanistan Cricket Board. Since leaving Afghanistan many of the women cricketers have been based in the Australian capital and in Melbourne and playing for club teams in local competitions. Firooza Amiri said ahead of that exhibition match in January that her team 'represents millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights.' Amiri fled her home country with her family and first traveled to Pakistan before being evacuated to Australia. Under Taliban rule, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot field a national women's team because the country's laws forbid women from playing sport, studying and medical education, moves that have been criticized by world groups including the International Criminal Court. Afghanistan is a full member of the International Cricket Council and a condition of that status should require it to have a women's national team. England and Australia have refused to participate in direct series against Afghanistan in protest, but continue to play against the Afghan men in ICC events. It was the Afghanistan men's historic run to the semifinals of the Twenty20 World Cup last year that sparked the women's team members to again approach the ICC about funding. The group first approached the ICC in 2023, asking for support for a refugee team based in Australia to rejoin international cricket. ___
Associated Press
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Nisar Wahdat: From Conflict-Ridden Afghanistan to Cricketing Success
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard Nisar Wahdat's path from Afghanistan to the U.S. cricket scene is a testament to perseverance and transformation. Growing up in Kabul, he overcame poverty, extreme conditions, and even terrorist attacks to earn a spot on Afghanistan's U-19 national team. In 2024, he took on a new challenge by moving to the United States, where he continues to compete in major cricket tournaments while helping grow the sport as a volunteer coach. Cricket is a symbol of resilience, hope, and national pride in Afghanistan, where aspiring athletes have to overcome extraordinary challenges to pursue their dreams. But if they become successful, they indeed get a chance to shine. One inspiration for many young players is Nisar Wahdat, a former Afghanistan national U-19 cricketer who defied the odds and is now making his mark in the U.S. cricket scene. Born and raised in Kabul, Wahdat fell in love with cricket at an early age, despite growing up in poverty and playing under extreme conditions. With limited facilities, scarce resources, and the constant threat of violence, his journey to professional cricket was anything but conventional. Nisar's dreams proved stronger than these challenging conditions. He dedicated himself to the sport, training whenever and wherever he could. 'I played cricket in extreme weather with minimal equipment and, at times, our matches were disrupted by terrorist attacks,' Wahdat recalls. 'I even witnessed a suicide bombing during the Shpageeza League, where two of our team owners lost their lives.' Despite this traumatic experience, Nisar emerged even stronger, more determined than ever. When life kept saying no, the now 25-year-old athlete forced his way through until it became a yes. Representing Afghanistan Under-19 on the international stage, Wahdat quickly gained recognition not just for his leadership and tactical play but also for his ability to perform under pressure. He participated in major domestic and international tournaments, earning multiple 'Man of the Match' awards. However, seeking new opportunities and stability, he moved to the United States in May 2024, where he has since competed in the U.S. Open Cricket and various domestic leagues while also volunteering as a part-time coach. For Wahdat, success has always been about discipline and perseverance: 'Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard,' is his motto. Today, Nisar is focused on establishing himself in American professional cricket while helping grow the sport in his new home country. 'Cricket has given me everything, and now I want to give back. My goal is to inspire the next generation and prove that, no matter where you come from, hard work can take you anywhere.' His journey stands as a testament to resilience, proving that with determination any obstacle can be overcome. Nisar has been recognized by the Afghanistan Cricket Board for contributions to youth cricket development and as an ambassador for Afghan cricket on the global stage. With his eyes set on playing at the highest professional level in the U.S., Wahdat is determined to have a positive impact on the world of sports through his growing influence on the global cricketing stage. Media Contact
