Report by Ahmad Sohail Parto We Support the Boycott of the Cricket TeamDespite the severe restrictions on sports, the systematic enforcement of gender apartheid,

Report by sameera Parto 
We Support the Boycott of the Cricket TeamDespite the severe restrictions on sports, the systematic enforcement of gender apartheid,

and widespread human rights violations by the Taliban, the Afghanistan cricket team has failed to take any steps in support of the Afghanistan people—especially women—over the past three years. Instead, they have directly or indirectly contributed to legitimizing and whitewashing the self-proclaimed Taliban regime. Such actions have tarnished the national identity of the team, leading many Afghanistan citizens to refer to it as the “Taliban Cricket Team.”

While the achievements and reputation of the national cricket team are a national asset belonging to the citizens of Afghanistan, the team has been systematically exploited by the Taliban to advance their illegitimate and sinister objectives. This betrayal of national interests not only undermines the people of Afghanistan but also strengthens the Taliban’s oppressive policies.

We call for increased pressure and the imposition of comprehensive and meaningful sanctions on all parties and individuals lobbying for the Taliban or otherwise contributing to the whitewashing of this group.

We firmly believe that the national interests of Afghanistan cannot be served through engagement with the Taliban or by legitimizing them. Instead, the true national interest lies in the overthrow of the Taliban’s self-imposed and illegitimate regime and the liberation of the Afghanistan people—especially women, vulnerable ethnic groups, and religious minorities—from their oppression.

Therefore, we, as female athletes inside Afghanistan, support the boycott of the Afghanistan cricket team. We urge the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its members to take decisive and firm actions to prevent the Taliban from using this team as a tool for propaganda and to strengthen their political and media presence.

We call upon all international organizations, sports institutions, and countries that uphold human values and justice to impose strong and comprehensive pressure on the Taliban and their supporters and to refrain from recognizing the self-declared Taliban regime.

We emphasize that the Taliban are neither reformable nor capable of meaningful dialogue with the Afghanistan people. Any opportunity granted to this group amounts to endorsing systemic oppression and committing a grave injustice against the Afghanistan people.

Date: January 18, 2025