Cricket Scotland have taken a strong stance in respect of supporting women’s rights in Afghanistan to the extent of minimising contact with the fast-rising men’s team – unless contractually obliged to engage with them at team or individual level.

The governing body’s position is set out in a statement released late this afternoon, which reads: “One of Cricket Scotland’s four strategic priorities is the advancement and growth of women and girls in the sport of cricket. At a recent meeting of Cricket Scotland Council Limited (CSCL), the Board approved the following actions regarding Cricket Scotland’s future engagement with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

ICC Events

• Cricket Scotland will continue to participate in any fixtures against Afghanistan Men at ICC events which are determined by ICC competition regulations.
• Participation in these fixtures should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the current Afghan regime or its policies.

Bilateral or Tri-Series Cricket

• 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.

Pre-tour Training

• Cricket Scotland will not host or participate in pre-tour training camps, practice matches, or warm-up fixtures involving Afghanistan Men outside ICC events.

Franchise Cricket – Afghanistan Premier League

• Cricket Scotland will comply with its obligations as set out in its contracts with its players. 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.

Review

• This policy will be kept under review annually or following any significant ICC decision or material change in circumstances.

These actions were approved followed an approach made by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to Cricket Scotland in July requesting training facilities in Scotland, ahead of their men’s series against Ireland, and again in September regarding the Afghanistan Premier League (APL). The request in July was declined due to operational restrictions and in order to allow the Board to consider its position.

To support the Board’s decision making, the Cricket Scotland Executive conducted detailed analysis to facilitate discussion, which centred around a range of factors including:

• The current humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and its government’s treatment of women and girls.
• Cricket Scotland’s wider strategic commitments, particularly its commitment to and support of the growth of women and girls’ cricket and embedding a culture of equality.
• Following consultation with government.
• The stance of other major cricket governing bodies towards the Afghanistan Cricket Board.