Afghan Women Banned from Playing Sports Including Cricket, Says Taliban

Afghan Women Banned from Playing Sports Including Cricket, Says Taliban

Afghan women banned from playing sports

In more recent developments in the situation in Afghanistan the Taliban has banned all women from playing any kind of sports, which includes the women’s cricket team, according to an official from the group.

In an interview with SBS, the deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq, said that sports for women was seen neither appropriate nor necessary. “I don’t think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play cricket,” Wasiq said. The main reason for this ban comes from the face that women may face a situation where their face or body may not be covered, which goes against the principles of Islam.

Exposure to the media in such circumstances is also a reason why Afghan women will not be allowed to play sports. Photos and videos of the women will be clicked which will be watched my several people said Wasiq, along with, “Islam and the Islamic Emirate [Afghanistan] do not allow women to play cricket or play the kind of sports where they get exposed.”

Afghan Women banned from Playing Sports; Jeopardises the Future of Afghanistan Cricket

Afghanistan Men's Cricket Team
Afghanistan Men’s Cricket Team

While sportswomen are already facing problems in the country, and now the Afghanistan men’s cricket team will also be at risk of not being able to participate in international cricket.

The Taliban have been supportive of the men’s team and have even given them the green light to play future matches. As a result the team is expected to travel to Australia to play a test match in November, but the current situation has put a doubt over whether they can actually go ahead.

Under the rules of the International Cricket Council all 12 full members must have a national women’s team, with only full members allowed to play test matches. In 2020, 25 Afghan women were given a contract by a part of the Afghanistan Cricket Board to be a part of the team.

With the contract being rescinded, the future of Afghanistan cricket as a whole lies in jeopardy.

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