Why Scotland suspended cricket ties with Afghanistan outside ICC events

Cricket Scotland said its decision was guided by its commitment to expanding women's and girls' participation in the sportCricket Scotland has decided to suspend cricketing engagement with Afghanistan outside International Cricket Council (ICC) events, citing the Taliban government's treatment of women and girls and wider human rights concerns.The governing body will continue to play Afghanistan in ICC tournaments but will not proactively schedule bilateral series or participate in tri-series involving the men's side unless there is a material change in the circumstances surrounding women's cricket in the country and broader human rights considerations.The decision was approved by the Cricket Scotland Board at a recent meeting of Cricket Scotland Council Limited (CSCL), following an approach by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) seeking access to training facilities in Scotland.“Cricket Scotland will not proactively schedule bilateral series or participate in tri-series involving Afghanistan Men unless there is a material change in the circumstances surrounding Afghanistan women's cricket and wider human rights considerations,” the governing body said in its statement.Why Scotland has taken a stand against Afghanistan cricketCricket Scotland said its decision was guided by its strategic commitment to expanding women's and girls' participation in the sport, alongside concerns about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.Women's sport has effectively disappeared in the country since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Women and girls have also faced severe restrictions on education and employment opportunities.One of Cricket Scotland's four strategic priorities is the advancement and growth of women's and girls' cricket. Its board considered the treatment of women and girls, the country's humanitarian situation, its commitment to equality, consultation with the government and the positions taken by other major cricket governing bodies.The move follows similar decisions by Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which have suspended bilateral cricketing engagement with Afghanistan over concerns about women's rights.The Taliban government maintains that it respects women's rights in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law and local customs, and that internal matters should be addressed locally.ICC matches allowed, but training facilities deniedCricket Scotland has clarified that its policy does not extend to ICC tournaments, where fixtures will be determined by competition regulations.“Cricket Scotland will continue to participate in any fixtures against Afghanistan Men at ICC events which are determined by ICC competition regulations,” its statement said.However, the governing body will not host or participate in pre-tour training camps, practice matches or warm-up fixtures involving Afghanistan outside ICC events.The ACB approached Cricket Scotland in July seeking training facilities ahead of the men's series against Ireland. A second request was made in September in connection with the Afghanistan Premier League (APL). The July request was declined due to operational restrictions and to allow the board to consider its position.On franchise cricket, Cricket Scotland said it would honour its contractual obligations to players and issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) if the ICC grants the Afghan league official approval.“If an NOC is issued, participation by that player/s must not be interpreted as an endorsement by Cricket Scotland of the current Afghan regime or its policies,” the statement said.The policy will be reviewed annually or following any significant ICC decision or material change in circumstances.