Cricket

Afghanistan Women's Cricket Team to Play Historic Match in MelbourneAn Afghanistan women's cricket team, composed of refugees now residing in Australia, will make history by playing a match in Melbourne in January. This will be the first time the team has reunited since fleeing their homeland following the Taliban takeover.The T20 match between an Afghanistan Women's XI and a Cricket Without Borders XI will take place on January 30 at Junction Oval, preceding the opening day of the floodlit Women's Ashes Test at the MCG.The players involved escaped Afghanistan in 2021 when the Taliban seized power and now reside in Canberra and Melbourne. While many play for local cricket clubs, they have been unable to form a representative team until now.The Australian government has played a crucial role in facilitating the match. "Numerous individuals from the cricket community and beyond have collaborated to support the Afghanistan women's team members since their relocation to Australia," said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley. "This match will serve as a testament to their efforts."Earlier this year, 17 players who were contracted to the Afghanistan Cricket Board in 2020 penned a letter to the ICC requesting assistance in establishing a refugee team in Australia. "Our goal is to showcase our talent, inspire women in Afghanistan, and highlight the challenges they face," the letter stated. "We aspire to compete at the highest level, like the Afghanistan men's team."On Tuesday, CA announced a partnership with UNICEF Australia as part of the foundation's "Until Every Girl Can Play" campaign, which promotes gender equality.The match will not only be a celebration of the team's resilience but also a symbol of hope for women in Afghanistan. It will demonstrate the power of sport to unite and empower individuals, regardless of their circumstances.

Cricket Australia (CA) has partnered with UNICEF Australia to promote gender equality through the 'Until Every Girl Can Play' campaign. This partnership raises questions about the future of bilateral cricket matches between Australia and Afghanistan.CA has been vocal in its stance against scheduling men's bilateral cricket against Afghanistan outside of World Cups due to the Taliban government's restrictions on women's rights. The organization has canceled three bilateral series with Afghanistan in recent years.Despite this, CA continues to support a group of Afghan female cricketers who reside and play in Australia. These players have requested assistance from the ICC in establishing a refugee team based in Australia.CA CEO Nick Hockley emphasized the organization's ongoing support for these players. "They've been extremely well supported by every level of the cricketing community," he said. "We are working behind the scenes on ways we can continue to support."UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart acknowledged the complex political situation but emphasized the importance of participation. "We encourage participation wherever we are in the world," he said. "I'm pleased to see so many Afghan women in Australia, and I hope they get the opportunity to participate in the game in the future."The Future Tours Programme indicates that Australia is scheduled to host Afghanistan in a men's Test and three T20Is in July 2026. However, it remains uncertain whether this series will proceed given CA's stance on women's rights.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a groundbreaking step towards gender equality in sports by announcing that the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will offer equal prize money to both men and women. This historic decision, made at the ICC Annual Conference in July 2023, marks a significant milestone in the fight for equal pay in major sporting events.The tournament, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will award the winners a staggering $2.34 million, a 134% increase from the $1 million won by Australia in 2023. The runners-up will receive $1.17 million, also a 134% rise from the $500,000 awarded last year.This prize money equality initiative aligns with the ICC's strategic goal of prioritizing the women's game and fostering its growth by 2032. Teams will now earn equal prize money for similar finishing positions in corresponding events and for match wins.Each group stage win will earn teams $31,154. The six teams not reaching the semi-finals will share a pool of $1.35 million based on their finishing positions. Third and fourth-placed teams in each group will receive $270,000, while the fifth-placed teams will get $135,000. All participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of $112,500.This prize increase is in line with the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 prize fund of $3.5 million. The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will commence on October 3 with a match between Bangladesh and Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.The ICC's decision to offer equal prize money in the Women's T20 World Cup is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of women's sports. It is a significant step towards breaking down gender barriers and creating a more equitable playing field for all athletes.

South Africa's Test and ODI captain, Temba Bavuma, has joined the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) in condemning the gender-based discrimination that prevents women in Afghanistan from participating in sports and other aspects of public life.Bavuma, who spoke ahead of South Africa's departure to the UAE for a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, emphasized the unique perspective that South Africans have on human rights abuses, given their own history of legalized race-based segregation. He reiterated the call for women's rights to be respected."I support the idea of inclusivity and caring for women," Bavuma said. "We want everyone to have a fair chance within society, and we know that that is something that is relevant to us as a country in South Africa."SACA had previously issued a statement acknowledging Cricket South Africa's (CSA) right to schedule fixtures against Afghanistan but also urging CSA to use its leverage to advocate for the protection and respect of women's rights in Afghanistan.CSA has not yet commented on whether it plans to make any statements or gestures in support of Afghan women but continues to discuss the issue of women's cricket in Afghanistan through the ICC.Both white-ball coach Rob Walter and Bavuma have left the decision of whether to engage Afghanistan on the field with CSA."I think I've got to respect the fact that there are people in positions who have that responsibility to speak more eloquently and articulate a little bit more of it," Bavuma said.Australia is the only board that has actively withdrawn from competition against Afghanistan, while the ECB has also indicated it will not schedule series against them. Both Australia and England continue to play Afghanistan at ICC tournaments.South Africa has never played against Afghanistan outside of a World Cup in either ODIs or T20Is. This bilateral series marks the first time the South African team and CSA have had to consider the ethical implications of playing against Afghanistan, which has not had a women's team since becoming Full Members in 2017.Apart from its shared history of legalized discrimination, South Africa also faces an epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV). The country has been ranked as one of the most dangerous for women globally. In response, there have been various initiatives against GBV, including in cricket.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Annual Conference concluded in Colombo on Monday, bringing forth significant decisions and updates.Review of T20 World Cup 2024The ICC Board has initiated a review of the delivery of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. A three-member committee comprising Roger Twose, Lawson Naidoo, and Imran Khwaja will oversee the review and report back to the Board later this year.Non-Compliance Warnings for USA Cricket and Cricket ChileThe ICC has issued official warnings to USA Cricket and Cricket Chile, granting them a 12-month period to address their non-compliance with membership criteria. Both members have been found to lack adequate governance and administrative structures. The ICC Americas office will assist Cricket Chile in addressing the issues, while a Normalisation Committee will be established to monitor USA Cricket's compliance roadmap.Regional Qualifying Spots for T20 World Cup 2026The Chief Executives' Committee has confirmed the allocation of eight regional qualifying spots for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Two teams will qualify from Africa and Europe, one from the Americas, and three from a combined Asia and EAP regional final.Commitment to Gender EqualityThe ICC has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting equality between men's and women's cricket. As part of this strategy, the Women's T20 World Cup in 2030 will be expanded from 12 to 16 participating teams.Qualification Cut-Off Date for Women's T20 World Cup 2026The ICC has set the qualification cut-off date for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier as 31 October 2024. This aligns with the ICC's efforts to foster the growth and development of women's cricket globally.Appointment to Men's Cricket CommitteePaul Reiffel, a member of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, has been appointed to the ICC Men's Cricket Committee.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Saeed Anwar has sparked controversy with his remarks on women entering the workforce, claiming that it has led to a rise in divorce rates. In a viral video, Anwar asserts that divorces have increased by 30% in Pakistan over the past three years, attributing this to women's increased financial independence.Anwar's comments have drawn widespread criticism on social media, with many users condemning his sexist views. In the video, he states, "Since women have started working in Pakistan, divorce rates have climbed by 30 per cent in the last three years. The wives say, 'to hell with you, I can earn myself. I can run a household on my own.' This is a whole game plan."Anwar further claims to have observed a similar pattern worldwide, alleging that families are suffering due to women's entry into the workforce. He cites conversations with New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson and an Australian mayor who allegedly expressed concerns about the impact of women's employment on society and culture.Anwar's remarks have been met with outrage from women's rights activists and social commentators. They argue that his views are outdated and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women. They emphasize that women's financial independence empowers them and allows them to make choices that are in their best interests.The controversy surrounding Anwar's comments highlights the ongoing debate about gender roles and women's empowerment in Pakistan. While some conservative voices continue to resist women's progress, a growing number of Pakistanis are embracing gender equality and recognizing the importance of women's contributions to society.

The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) match between Mohammedan Sporting and Prime Bank on Thursday was marred by controversy over the appointment of a female umpire, Shathira Jakir Jessy. Jessy became the first female umpire from Bangladesh to officiate in a DPL match, but her historic moment was overshadowed by the discontent expressed by team officials from both sides.The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) faced criticism for appointing a female umpire, with team officials reportedly unhappy with the decision. The incident gained widespread attention, with players like Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim facing criticism for their alleged involvement."More than the players, the team officials were vocal regarding this," said a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) source. "Yes, they were unhappy that BCB had appointed a female umpire, but the match had to go on," confirmed BCB umpires' committee chairman Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu.The controversy escalated when Mushfiqur Rahim was controversially ruled out caught behind, despite replays showing his foot was over the boundary rope. The absence of video reviews in the match led to the on-field umpires' decision standing.However, Iftekhar Ahmed later clarified that the clubs did not register a formal complaint and that the issue stemmed from the umpire's experience rather than her gender. "There was no formal complaint to us from either club," he said. "Some are suggesting the players were reluctant, but that's completely wrong.""Prime Bank's manager, Shikdar Abul Hashem Kankan, and Mohammedan's Tarikul Islam Tito have admitted that they expressed dissatisfaction due to inexperienced umpires, not because they were female," he added.The incident has sparked a debate about the role of female umpires in cricket and the need to encourage their appointments. Despite the controversy, Jessy's historic achievement remains a significant milestone for women in sports.

International Women's Day: Sachin Tendulkar Highlights the Rise of Women in SportsOn International Women's Day, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in sports. He emphasized the significant progress made by women in the field, both in India and globally.Tendulkar recalled an emotional moment in 2008, after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, when India defeated England in a cricket match. He shared that one of the first people he embraced was a female ground staff member, highlighting the important role women play in the sport.He also acknowledged the groundbreaking achievement of Jacintha Kalyan, who became India's first female pitch curator in 2024. Tendulkar expressed his hope that Kalyan's success would inspire many more women to pursue careers in sports."This #InternationalWomensDay, let us encourage and applaud these role models who continue to break barriers and set examples in all fields," Tendulkar wrote.Tendulkar's message aligns with the United Nations' call to "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." By supporting women in sports and other areas, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society.