A top insider tells one of Australia’s top news channels that the newly installed Taliban rule will prohibit Afghan women from playing cricket and other sports in which their bodies may be visible.
According to a translation by SBS, Ahmadullah Wasiq, deputy head of the Taliban’s culture commission, said, “I don’t think women will be allowed to play cricket since it is not required for women to play cricket.”
Afghanistan has a national women’s cricket team, but their position, like that of every other woman in the country, has been called into doubt since the Taliban overthrew the US-backed government. Female athletes who formerly wanted to compete on a global stage have gone into hiding or attempted to quit the country.
“Right now, every lady playing cricket or other sports is not safe,” a member of the women’s squad told the BBC recently. “The situation in Kabul is dire.”
Wasiq spoke to SBS as the Afghan men’s team prepares to play a test match in Australia in November. When the publication inquired about the future of the national women’s squad, though, the Taliban official expressed concern. “They may find themselves in a scenario where their face and body are not protected while playing cricket. Women are not allowed to be seen in this way in Islam “According to SBS, he stated.
“It is the age of the media, so there will be images and videos, and people will watch them. Women are not permitted to play cricket or any other sport in which they are exposed in Islam and the Islamic Emirate “Wasiq remarked.
The Taliban’s position could jeopardize Afghanistan’s sporting reputation. In order to qualify for full membership in the International Cricket Council, countries must have women’s teams, which Afghanistan did in 2017.
According to SBS, the ICC has been monitoring the situation in Afghanistan in light of Wasiq’s statement and is “concerned” about the news that women may be barred from the sport.
