ICC President Jay Shah Set to Support Afghanistan Women with Dedicated Task Force

The International Cricket Council (ICC), led by President Jay Shah, has announced the formation of a dedicated task force to support Afghanistan's women cricketers. 

Since the Taliban took control, the situation for women's sports has become increasingly difficult, with many athletes unable to pursue their dreams due to restrictive rules and limited facilities. Currently, 25 Afghan players, who have been exiled, are training and playing in Australia thanks to direct funding from Cricket Australia (CA). 

Months ago, following an official match in Melbourne, these players received backing from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Now, with Jay Shah as the new ICC chairman is set to launch a task force aimed at helping Afghan women cricketers thrive in the sport.

Afghanistan's Women Cricketers Set to Receive Direct Support from ICC

Jay Shah stated,

"At the International Cricket Council, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring that every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances. In collaboration with our valued partners, we are proud to launch this task force and support fund, complemented by a comprehensive high-performance program, to ensure displaced Afghan women cricketers can continue their journey in the sport. This initiative reflects our steadfast dedication to cricket's global growth and its power to inspire unity, resilience, and hope."

The ICC has officially confirmed the involvement of the ECB and CA in this initiative. The program, developed in partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), ECB, and CA, will provide "direct monetary assistance through a dedicated fund, ensuring these cricketers have the resources they need to continue pursuing the game they love," the ICC stated in a press release on Sunday.

Additionally, the ICC has pledged that this initiative will include all necessary coaching facilities, robust training materials, and world-class coaching for the team.

"This will be complemented by a robust high-performance program offering advanced coaching, world-class facilities, and tailored mentorship to help them reach their full potential," the ICC added in their statement.