ICC initiative on Afghan women: Key engagement opportunities during next global meets
While the governing body has not detailed the exact nature of these opportunities, it is understood that the cricketers, most of whom are now based in Australia, will be invited to attend workshops conducted by international coaches and engage with active international players during the events. The aim is to offer both technical exposure and moral support to a group that has been cut off from the sport in their homeland.The initiative is being led under the supervision of ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, in collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA). The three boards had agreed during a previous meeting in Harare to come together in support of Afghan women cricketers and help chart a future for them within the global cricketing framework.The mention of 'domestic opportunities' in the ICC statement remains open to interpretation. However, there are indications that efforts are being made to integrate the displaced players into the lower tiers of the cricket structure in Australia. This could involve placing them in local grade cricket competitions, offering them a chance to return to regular match practice and remain connected to the professional game.While the initiative may not immediately pave the way for international representation, it does provide Afghan women cricketers with renewed visibility and a platform to continue their association with the sport. At a time when their voices have been largely silenced within their own country, the ICC's gesture signals a quiet but resolute stand in favour of inclusivity and hope.- EndsYou May Also Like
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
34 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Tim David scores fastest T20 century for Australia in series-clinching win
BASSETERRE: Tim David scored the fastest century for Australia in a Twenty20 international which lifted the tourists to a series-clinching six-wicket win over West Indies in the third game of a five-match series on Friday. David and Mitchell Owen's unbroken 128-run stand guided Australia to 215-4 off 16.1 overs to seal the victory and an unassailable 3-0 series lead. Making the most of the small dimensions at Warner Park in David brought up his first international century from the final ball of the match with his sixth boundary. His blistering 102 not out, with 11 sixes, came from just 37 balls and bettered the mark of 43 balls set by current team-mate Josh Inglis against Scotland last year. It was also the third fastest century among ICC member nations, with only India's Rohit Sharma and South Africa's David Miller bettering the mark with 35 balls, both in 2017. "I didn't think I would have the opportunity to score 100 for Australia, so I'm so grateful for that opportunity and and pretty stoked," David said. David's fireworks overshadowed a brilliant unbeaten century by West Indies captain Shai Hope (102 off 57 balls) which featured eight boundaries and six sixes to lead West Indies to 214-4 off its 20 overs. Hope combined with opening partner Brandon King to put on 125 runs in 11.4 overs as the hosts made a rapid-fire start after losing the toss and being asked to bat first.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Manoj Tiwary Questions Gautam Gambhir's Selection Policies Amid India's Struggles In England
India's narrow 22-run defeat at Lord's saw them fall behind 1-2 in the five-match series. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the team fought hard but once again faltered on the final day, despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja. Tiwary Criticises Over-Reliance on All-Rounders Tiwary was critical of Gambhir's preference for all-rounders over specialist players in the Test format. 'I have said earlier as well that Test cricket is a game of specialists, but we are sidelining them and trusting all-rounders more,' Tiwary told IANS. He pointed out a pattern of dropping players after underperforming and bringing in fresh faces from outside the squad. 'Since Gambhir became head coach, we've seen frequent changes. In the India-New Zealand series, Washington Sundar was brought in from outside over Ashwin, who was already in the squad. On the Australia tour, Devdutt Padikkal and Harshit Rana played, but now Harshit is missing and we are playing Anshul Kamboj in this Test,' Tiwary added. Concerns Over Instability and Frequent Changes The former Indian batter believes that the constant chopping and changing have created instability in the squad. 'There is no stability, and Gambhir seems unable to trust players for a long duration. His thinking of relying on part-time all-rounders to win Test matches is not practical. Players with experience know that Test matches demand specialists,' Tiwary remarked. Tactical Missteps and Missed Opportunities Tiwary also criticised the team's decision-making, particularly the omission of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who he believes could have troubled England's batters. 'Kuldeep Yadav should have played in this match and the last match. Wrist-spinners have always succeeded against England because their batters struggle to pick them,' he said. He further pointed out that inconsistent performances from India's top order, including Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who failed to convert starts beyond 50-60 runs, also hurt the team's chances. India's Recent Test Decline Since Gambhir was appointed head coach in July 2024, India's performance in the longest format has dipped. In 13 matches, the team has registered just four wins, eight defeats, and one draw, slipping from No.1 to No.4 in the ICC Test rankings. They also failed to qualify for the World Test Championship 2025 final after a disappointing series loss in Australia. Gambhir's Stature and Coaching Challenge Gautam Gambhir, one of India's most celebrated batters between 2008 and 2011, scored over 10,000 international runs and played crucial innings in India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup final victories. As a leader, he inspired Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles as captain and another as mentor. However, his tenure as India's head coach has come under the scanner amid mounting criticism and inconsistent results.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Tim David scores fastest T20 century for Australia in series-clinching win
Tim David scored the fastest century for Australia in a Twenty20 international which lifted the tourists to a series-clinching six-wicket win over West Indies in the third game of a five-match series on Friday. David and Mitchell Owen's unbroken 128-run stand guided Australia to 215-4 off 16.1 overs to seal the victory and an unassailable 3-0 series lead. Making the most of the small dimensions at Warner Park in St. Kitts, David brought up his first international century from the final ball of the match with his sixth boundary. His blistering 102 not out, with 11 sixes, came from just 37 balls and bettered the mark of 43 balls set by current team-mate Josh Inglis against Scotland last year. It was also the third fastest century among ICC member nations, with only India's Rohit Sharma and South Africa's David Miller bettering the mark with 35 balls, both in 2017. I didn't think I would have the opportunity to score 100 for Australia, so I'm so grateful for that opportunity and and pretty stoked, David said. David's fireworks overshadowed a brilliant unbeaten century by West Indies captain Shai Hope (102 off 57 balls) which featured eight boundaries and six sixes to lead West Indies to 214-4 off its 20 overs. Hope combined with opening partner Brandon King to put on 125 runs in 11.4 overs as the hosts made a rapid-fire start after losing the toss and being asked to bat first. King made a spritely 62 off 36 balls before holing out to Sean Abbott off Mitchell Owen. The skipper raised his deserved ton in the 19th over with a single off his 55th ball to join Chris Gayle as the only West Indies male player with centuries in all formats. Brief cameos from Shimron Hetmyer (9), Rovman Powell (9), Sherfane Rutherford (12) supported Hope's solo assault on Australia's bowlers and lifted the hosts past 200. David's blasts Australia out of trouble Australia's chase started haphazardly with Glenn Maxwell opening again with skipper Mitch Marsh run out for 20 going for a tight single. Inglis (15) was next to go failing to get enough distance on his strike into the stiff breeze and was caught at deep square leg off Romario Shepherd (2-39), who was in the team for the retired Andre Russell. Marsh (22) was caught behind off Jason Holder two overs later and when Cameron Green (11) fell the same way to be Shepherd's second wicket the tourists were at 87-4 and rocking. Enter Tim David who brought his destructive power game to smash the West Indies bowlers to all corners of the small ground, and indeed often outside of Warner Park, as the target was whittled down in rapid time. David raised his fifty off 16 balls, also an Australian record, and he only slowed down slightly in the next fifty as he teased the West Indies bowlers into his wide hitting arc. The Australian should have been stopped at 90 but King dropped a simple catch at deep mid-wicket off Shepherd to cruel any late chance the hosts may have had. David was well-complemented by his fellow Tasmanian Owen (36 off 16) who continued his bright start to his international career as the pair's 128-run stand off 48 balls sealed the win. I honestly don't think we had enough runs on the board on a pitch like that, you need to understand the dimensions of the ground, Hope said. It's very difficult to defend a score of 200 at St. Kitts with that surface." Australia had a three-wicket win to open the series on Sunday, while Inglis and Green led Australia to an eight-wicket victory in Wednesday's second match, spoiling Russell's last game for West Indies. Australia's win streak in the Caribbean now stands at six-matches following the 3-0 test series sweep. The fourth match will be played at the same ground on Saturday.
