ICC announces initiative to support Afghan women cricketers

Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday announced the formation of a task force to support displaced Afghan women cricketers. In a landmark initiative, the ICC has joined hands with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA) to assist them in their cricketing and personal development journeys.

As part of the initiative, the ICC will establish a dedicated fund to provide direct monetary assistance, ensuring these cricketers have the resources they need to continue pursuing the game they love. This will be complemented by a robust high-performance programme offering advanced coaching, world-class facilities, and tailored mentorship to help them reach their full potential.

Commenting on the initiative, ICC Chairman Jay Shah said: “At the International Cricket Council, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine. In collaboration with our valued partners, we are proud to launch this task force and support fund, complemented by a comprehensive high-performance programme, to ensure displaced Afghan women cricketers can continue their journey in the sport.”

Following recommendations from the Chief Executives’ Committee, the Board also confirmed the following appointments:

ICC Women’s Cricket Committee: Catherine Campbell (reappointed), Avril Fahey and Pholetsi Moseki.

ICC Men’s Cricket Committee: Sourav Ganguly (reappointed as Chair), Hamid Hassan, Desmond Haynes, Temba Bavuma, VVS Laxman (reappointed), and Jonathan Trott.