Cricket Scotland said its decision was guided by its commitment to expanding women’s and girls’ participation in the sport
The July request was declined due to operational restrictions and to allow the board to consider its position.
“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,” the governing body said in its statement. Cricket Scotland said its decision was guided by its strategic commitment to expanding women’s and girls’ participation in the sport, alongside concerns about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. “Cricket Scotland will continue to participate in any fixtures against Afghanistan Men at ICC events which are determined by ICC competition regulations,” its statement said. On franchise cricket, Cricket Scotland said it would honour its contractual obligations to players and issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) if the ICC grants the Afghan league official approval.
The governing body will continue to play Afghanistan in ICC tournaments but will not proactively schedule bilateral series or participate in tri-series involving the men’s side unless there is a material change in the circumstances surrounding women’s cricket in the country and broader human rights considerations. The ACB approached Cricket Scotland in July seeking training facilities ahead of the men’s series against Ireland. A second request was made in September in connection with the Afghanistan Premier League (APL).
“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,” the statement said.