Afghanistan’s remarkable performance in the last two ICC tournaments—the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024—sparked celebrations across the nation. From the capital city Kabul to remote villages, Afghans of all walks of life united in joy. These celebrations weren’t just a response to victory; they were acts of defiance against the oppressive policies of the Taliban regime.
The same Taliban must be shedding tears of joy watching British politicians and South Africa’s sports minister calling upon the ICC to ban Afghanistan’s men’s team from the Champions Trophy beginning 19 February in Pakistan and Dubai. Some of the Taliban regard sports as a distraction from religious duties and an obstacle to enforcing their ideology. Demands that England and South African teams boycott their respective matches against Afghanistan—as a mark of protest against restrictions on Afghan women—do the job for the Taliban’s regime.
Banning Afghanistan’s cricket team is not an act of justice; it is an act of surrender to the forces of oppression.
Cricket as resistance
Since the Taliban’s return to power, over 8 million Afghans have fled the country, driven by poverty, economic collapse, and repression. Those who remain face bleak prospects. Afghanistan’s isolation from the global community, coupled with the Taliban’s draconian policies, has stifled opportunities for both men and women. Amid this despair, cricket stands as a rare outlet for joy and inspiration.
For countless Afghan boys, cricketing idols like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi represent a brighter future. These young athletes dream of emulating his global success, striving for excellence in sport rather than succumbing to the lure of extremist groups like ISPK. Stripping Afghanistan of its cricketing platform risks extinguishing these aspirations, leaving vulnerable youth prey to radicalisation. This is not just a loss for Afghanistan but a potential global security challenge.
Afghan cricketers are more than athletes; they are symbols of resistance. Many have used their platforms to advocate for women’s rights, particularly the right to education, in defiance of the Taliban’s oppressive policies. Their social media posts, public statements, and silent protests reflect extraordinary courage in a regime where dissent can cost lives. These players risk everything to stand for their sisters, wives, and daughters.
🤲🏻🤲🏻🇦🇫🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/rYtNtNaw14
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) December 4, 2024
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) December 4, 2024
اقْرَاْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّک الَّذِي خَلَقَ
ای بنده ولوله د خپل هغه ربَ په نام چې تاسو یې پیدا کړي یاست
وقل ربي زِدْنِي عِلمًا
او ووايه اى ربه زما علم زيات كره
(قران كريم)
طَلَبُ العِلمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلى كُلِّ مُسلِمٍ ومُسلِمَة تعليم بر تولو مسلمانانو
(نر او ښځې )فرض ده
(حديث شريف)
— Rahmanullah Gurbaz (@RGurbaz_21) December 4, 2024
A ban on the Afghan team would silence these voices of hope and resistance. Instead of being punished for the Taliban’s misogyny, these cricketers should be celebrated for their bravery in representing the true spirit of Afghanistan. Their defiance shows the world that Afghanistan is not synonymous with the Taliban but it is a nation of dreamers, fighters, and survivors.
Also read: Greater Noida stadium defeated the Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test. There’s a lesson here
Boycott—a gift to Taliban
Cricket has become a lifeline for Afghanistan’s younger generation—a source of hope, identity, and pride in a nation under siege. A boycott of Afghan cricket would hand the Taliban an ideological victory. It would allow them to further isolate the Afghan people, claim that international hostility is directed at the entire nation, and suppress one of the few remaining avenues of collective pride and unity. Such a move plays directly into their narrative, deepening divisions and weakening opposition within the country.
Moreover, banning cricket would deny Afghan youth their most powerful platform for global representation. In every match, the Afghan team carries the tricolour flag, sings the national anthem, and reminds the world of the sacrifices made for Afghanistan’s independence and identity. These moments of unity and patriotism resonate deeply with a population yearning for connection and normalcy.
It is understandable that frustration with the Taliban’s regressive policies, particularly towards women, has led some to call for harsh measures. However, targeting the cricket team is a misdirected response. The players are among the few public figures in Afghanistan who have consistently stood up for women’s rights. Penalising them weakens a critical ally in the fight for gender equality and human rights.
Instead of alienating Afghan cricketers, the international community should amplify their voices. They are uniquely positioned to challenge the Taliban’s narrative and inspire millions of Afghans.
Solidarity, not scapegoating
Sport has always been a powerful tool for diplomacy and social change. From Nelson Mandela’s use of rugby to unite South Africa to the Refugee Olympic Team showcasing the resilience of displaced individuals, sports can inspire hope and bridge divides. Afghan cricket is no different.
The global community must recognise the significance of supporting Afghan cricket. By banning it, we risk pushing a generation further into despair, radicalisation, or migration.
Afghan cricketers are fighting for their country every day not with weapons, but with their talent, determination, and courage. Let us choose solidarity over scapegoating and empower those who are truly working to make a difference.
Aziz Amin is a fellow at the Oxford Global Society Think Tank, Oxford UK, and the Brenthurst Foundation. He tweets at @iamazizamin. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)
Absolutely fantastic and well written, it’s the voice of millions of cricket lovers.
Cricket players and fans has nothing with the return of the Taliban, they can’t influence Taliban and punishing them will be injustice.