Women's sport has effectively disappeared in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, while access to education and employment opportunities for women has been severely curtailed.

The ​Taliban say they respect women's rights in accordance with their ​interpretation of Islamic law and local customs and that internal ⁠matters should be addressed locally.

Scotland's move aligns with decisions by Cricket Australia ​and the England and Wales Cricket Board to suspend bilateral ties with ​Afghanistan, which the ICC made a Full Member in 2017.

"This policy will be kept under review annually or following any significant ICC decision or material change in circumstances," ​Cricket Scotland said on Monday.

It added that its decision was based ​on its commitment to growing women's and girls' participation in the sport, as well ‌as the ⁠humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Reuters has contacted the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for comment.

Scotland have not faced Afghanistan in a full international match since the 2021 Twenty20 World Cup, but the governing body said the ACB had requested ​training facilities in ​July ahead of ⁠their men's series against Ireland.

The ACB had made another request for training facilities in Scotland in September regarding ​the T20 Afghanistan Premier League, it added.

Cricket Scotland also ​said it ⁠would continue to consider its contractual obligations to players and would issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) if the ICC gives 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.