Sports · Cricket · 52 mins ago
Scotland limits Afghanistan cricket ties outside ICC events
Cricket Scotland will stop arranging matches with Afghanistan outside ICC events because of concerns about the Taliban government's treatment of women and girls and wider human rights issues.
The policy covers men's bilateral series and tri-series, as well as training camps and practice matches outside ICC competitions.
Scotland will still play Afghanistan when ICC competition rules require it, and the change does not affect those fixtures.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women's sport has effectively disappeared in Afghanistan, while women's and girls' access to education and work has been severely restricted.
Cricket Scotland said its decision reflects its commitment to growing women's and girls' cricket, and follows similar moves by Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board.
Afghan players may still receive permission to play in the Afghan league if it receives official ICC approval; Cricket Scotland said this would not mean it supports the Afghan government or its policies.
The board will review the policy annually, or sooner if there is a significant ICC decision or a material change in circumstances.
Cricket Scotland will not schedule bilateral or tri-series matches against Afghanistan outside International Cricket Council events unless circumstances change.
The policy cites concerns about the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan and wider human rights issues.
Scotland will continue to play Afghanistan in fixtures required by ICC competition regulations.
The decision followed requests from the Afghanistan Cricket Board for training facilities in Scotland.
Cricket Scotland says it will review the policy annually or after a significant ICC decision or material change in circumstances.
- Who
- Cricket Scotland and the Afghanistan Cricket Board are involved. The policy concerns Afghanistan’s men’s team.
- What
- Scotland will not proactively schedule bilateral or tri-series matches against Afghanistan outside ICC events. It will also not host training camps or take part in practice matches outside those events.
- When
- Announced on Monday, November 9, 2026, according to the reports.
- Where
- Scotland and Afghanistan; the ACB sought access to training facilities in Scotland.
- Why
- Cricket Scotland cited the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan and wider human rights concerns.
Cricket Scotland
Taliban government
Aspect
Cricket Scotland
Scotland says its policy is guided by concerns about women’s and girls’ rights and wider human rights issues.
Taliban government
The Taliban says it respects women’s rights in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law and local customs.
Aspect
Cricket Scotland
Scotland will limit cricket engagement outside ICC events unless circumstances materially change.
Taliban government
The Taliban says Afghanistan’s internal matters should be addressed locally.
The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, after which women’s sport effectively disappeared in the country, according to the articles.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board sought training facilities in Scotland ahead of Afghanistan’s men’s series against Ireland.
The ACB made a second request for training facilities in connection with the Afghanistan Premier League.
Cricket Scotland announced its policy limiting engagement with Afghanistan outside ICC events.
- ICC fixtures
- Scotland will continue to play Afghanistan when required by ICC competition regulations.
- Bilateral and tri-series matches
- Not proactively scheduled outside ICC events unless circumstances materially change.
- Training facilities
- ACB requests were made in July and September 2026.
- Policy review
- Annually, or after a significant ICC decision or material change in circumstances.
- Player participation
- Cricket Scotland may issue no-objection certificates if the ICC officially approves the Afghan league.
4 sources
Scotland refuses to play Afghanistan outside ICC events over concerns about treatment of women, human rights
Why Scotland suspended cricket ties with Afghanistan outside ICC events
Scotland limits Afghanistan cricket ties over women's rights concerns
Cricket Scotland announces reduced relations with Afghanistan
What people are saying
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
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