ICC Launches Support Fund for Displaced Afghan Women Cricketers | ICC Cricket News 2025

ICC's Groundbreaking Support for Displaced Afghan Women Cricketers Marks a New Era for Inclusivity in Cricket

In an inspiring move that reaffirms the power of sports to transcend boundaries and challenges, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a dedicated initiative to support displaced Afghan women cricketers. This initiative comes at a crucial time for Afghan women athletes, many of whom have faced tremendous obstacles in continuing their cricketing journeys due to the changing socio-political landscape in their homeland.

This ICC initiative, supported by cricketing giants like the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA), is not just a financial aid package. It is a symbol of hope, unity, and resilience core values that cricket, at its best, has always represented.

ICC Launches Support Fund for Displaced Afghan Women Cricketers

The primary focus of this initiative is the establishment of a dedicated ICC fund aimed at providing direct financial support to Afghan women cricketers who have been displaced from their country. This financial assistance is intended to cover their essential needs, help them continue their cricketing education, and ensure that they are not lost to the game due to circumstances beyond their control.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah, in his official statement, emphasized the global cricket body's unwavering commitment to inclusivity. He stated, "At the International Cricket Council, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances."

This bold step by the ICC not only aims to safeguard the careers of these players but also ensures that their cricketing dreams remain alive even in exile.

High-Performance Programmes to Nurture Talent and Build Futures

Beyond monetary assistance, the ICC is creating a robust high-performance programme that will provide displaced Afghan women cricketers access to advanced coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and tailored mentorship.

This programme aims to support their overall growth not just as cricketers but also as individuals. With guidance from some of the sport's best coaches and mentors from countries like India, Australia, and England, these athletes will receive training that matches international standards.

This initiative reflects a growing global recognition that cricket development must go hand-in-hand with social responsibility. It’s not merely about producing cricketers; it’s about nurturing human potential in the face of adversity.

The Role of Cricket as a Unifying Force

The ICC's initiative showcases cricket's unique ability to act as a unifying and healing platform. For Afghan women cricketers forced to leave their country, this is more than just a lifeline for their careers it is a symbol that the global cricketing family stands with them.

It sends a powerful message to sports communities worldwide: cricket cares, and cricket unites.

It’s worth noting that cricket in Afghanistan had grown rapidly in the past two decades, with both the men’s and women’s teams making significant strides. However, the recent socio-political developments in the region have threatened to reverse these gains, particularly for women. The ICC’s intervention ensures that the hard-earned dreams of these athletes are not left abandoned.

ICC’s Broader Governance Updates: Cricket Committees Strengthened

Apart from launching this heartwarming initiative, the ICC Board also confirmed important appointments to its various cricket committees during its recent meeting.

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, was re-appointed as the Chair of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee. Alongside him, international cricket figures like Hamid Hassan, Desmond Haynes, Temba Bavuma, VVS Laxman, and Jonathan Trott were appointed, ensuring diverse global representation.

The ICC Women’s Cricket Committee saw the re-appointment of Catherine Campbell, joined by Avril Fahey and Pholetsi Moseki. These appointments underline the ICC’s continuous commitment to strengthening cricket’s administrative frameworks globally.

ICC's Vision Beyond Numbers: Cricket as a Global Movement for Change

While the ICC also approved the consolidated ICC Group audited financial statements for the year ended 2024, this initiative to support displaced Afghan women cricketers shows that their vision for cricket is about far more than just numbers on a balance sheet.

This move is aligned with a broader strategy of making cricket not just the most loved sport but also the most responsible. It highlights the sport's power to influence society positively, inspire change, and stand up for values that go beyond the boundary lines.