Should Afghanistan back women's cricket? Rashid Khan breaks his silence
India Today
T20 World Cup, NZ vs AFG: Rashid Khan has spoken out on whether Afghanistan should encourage women's cricket in the country. With 700 T20 wickets within reach, the star leg-spinner is set to feature in Afghanistan's opening match of the men's tournament on Sunday in Chennai.
Rashid Khan has finally addressed the sensitive question of women’s cricket in Afghanistan, offering a rare public insight into his stance amid growing global scrutiny. With several Afghan women cricketers currently living in exile after fleeing the Taliban regime, the issue continues to cast a shadow over Afghanistan’s status in international cricket.
Speaking ahead of Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup clash against New Zealand on February 8, Rashid acknowledged the importance of women’s cricket as part of full ICC membership and expressed pride in seeing Afghans represent the country on any stage.
“Women's team? Definitely. I feel that’s part of the criteria for being a full member. The ICC and the Afghanistan Cricket Board know best, but we love to see anyone representing Afghanistan on any stage. It’s a proud moment, and you’re representing your country," Rashid said in the pre-match press conference.
Last year, Afghanistan women’s cricketer Firooza Amiri had urged the men’s team to publicly support women in the conflict-hit country. She believed the men’s team, given its growing popularity, was in a strong position to help women’s cricket in Afghanistan find a path forward.
Rashid, however, underlined the limitations players face, stressing that such decisions ultimately lie with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the ICC, not individual cricketers.
“But yes, ultimately the decision lies with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the ICC. As players, we don’t have much control and can only focus on what we can influence. In this situation, there’s little we can decide, but our support is always there. The bigger decisions are made by those in charge, and they take it forward," Rashid added.
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