Cricket Scotland has halted bilateral matches, tri-series, training camps, and warm-up games with Afghanistan over human rights concerns and the suppression of women's sports. The board formally approved the measure after declining facility requests submitted by Afghan cricket authorities for July and September. Scotland will still honor official ICC tournament fixtures and may permit players to enter ICC-approved franchise leagues under existing contractual rules. The governing body plans to evaluate this policy annually or whenever the ICC makes major regulatory determinations.
Key points
Cricket Scotland will only compete against Afghanistan when required by official Internat…: Cricket Scotland will only compete against Afghanistan when required by official International Cricket Council tournament regulations.
Resumption of bilateral cricket requires material improvements concerning human rights an…: Resumption of bilateral cricket requires material improvements concerning human rights and the restoration of women's cricket in Afghanistan.
Administrators will review the bilateral suspension annually or whenever significant poli…: Administrators will review the bilateral suspension annually or whenever significant policy decisions are reached by the ICC.
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Cricket 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 cricket
Cricket Scotland said its decision was guided by its strategic commitment to expanding women's and girls' participation in the sport,…
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