ICC form working group to review Afghanistan cricket

A panel comprising of Imran Khwaja, Ross McCollum, Lawson Naidoo and Ramiz Raja will report back over the coming months

Cricket in Afghanistan will be scrutinised by an ICC Board working group.

Deputy chair Imran Khwaja will lead the panel which also includes Ross McCollum, Lawson Naidoo and Ramiz Raja who chair Cricket Ireland, South Africa and the Pakistan Cricket Board respectively.

The move comes in the wake of the Taliban reclaiming control of Afghanistan.

Central to the group's inquiries will be the status of women's cricket which the fundamentalist group have previously rejected.

Nations must run a women's programme to retain ICC full member status.

In November 2020, the Afghanistan Cricket Board handed out 25 contracts to female players but many have now fled the country in the wake of the regime change.

"The ICC Board is committed to continuing to support Afghanistan cricket to develop both men’s and women’s cricket moving forward," said ICC chair Greg Barclay.

"We believe the most effective way for this to happen will be to support our members in their efforts to achieve this through its relationship with the new government. 

ACB Chairman & CEO met officials from @ICC, @BCCI, @TheRealPCB & other cricketing nations informally, to discuss various aspects, including bilateral cricket with them. They will keep meeting other cricket nations & more good news will be on its way for @ACBofficials. pic.twitter.com/ECMZEwWTq6

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 17, 2021

"Cricket is fortunate to be in the position to influence positive change in Afghanistan with the national men’s team a source of great pride and unity in a country with a young population that has experienced more upheaval and change than most.

"We should protect that status and continue to try to influence change through the ACB but will continue to closely monitor the situation and take any decisions accordingly."

Since the Taliban took charge, Naseeb Khan has replaced Hamid Shinwari as chief executive while Mirwais Ashraf is the new acting chairman after stepping in for Azizullah Fazli.

“Cricket is a source of aspirations, elations and hope of 35m Afghans," said Ashraf in response to the news. "We are committed to maintaining effective relationships with our new government, the ICC and other cricketing nations.

"We are working to provide full assistance & assurance to the ICC Board & its working group for Afghanistan about the situation in ACB. Afghanistan Cricket Board thank them and are looking for their immense support with regards to the status & development of Afghan Cricket."

ACB Chairman Mr. @MirwaisAshraf16 on ICC's statement regarding Afghanistan: “Cricket is a source of aspirations, elations and hope of 35m Afghans. We are committed to maintain effective relationships with our new government, the @ICC and other cricketing nations." 1/2

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 17, 2021

"We are working to provide full assistance & assurance to the @ICC Board & its working group for Afghanistan about the situation in ACB. @ACBofficials thank them and are looking for their immense support with regards to the status & development of Afghan Cricket." He added. 2/2 https://t.co/nexcaD93bZ

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 17, 2021

The decision to form a working group was reached following a meeting of the board after the conclusion of the men's T20 World Cup.

In addition, it was determined that the World Test Championship, currently in its second cycle, will remain a nine-team competition. Despite having Test status, Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe are not involved. The final will also continue to be contested between the two sides at the end of each group stage.

Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI chair, has been appointed head of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee following the end of Anil Kumble's third three-year term at the helm.

First-class status and List A classification will also be applied to women's cricket to align with the men's game, while Cricket West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave has been added to the renamed ICC Women's Cricket Committee.

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