The International Cricket Council (ICC), at its annual conference in Singapore, unveiled a string of significant updates, but one in particular stood out: a groundbreaking move to support displaced Afghan women cricketers who have been exiled from their homeland following political upheaval.
A new chapter for Afghan women in cricket
For years, Afghan women passionate about cricket have been silenced, not by a lack of talent, but by politics and persecution.
But the ICC’s latest initiative offers a beacon of hope. Afghan women cricketers living in exile will now be given structured opportunities to play at the international level, including at major ICC tournaments such as the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup and the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
Backed by the best in the game
The initiative is being spearheaded by ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, who is working closely with some of the most powerful boards in cricket, BCCI, ECB, and Cricket Australia.
Together, they will oversee high-performance support and domestic playing opportunities for these women, ensuring they stay match-ready and competitive.
It’s a powerful example of collaboration that transcends borders and politics. For players who’ve seen their dreams interrupted, this could be the lifeline they’ve been waiting for.
England retains WTC final hosting rights
In more traditional cricketing news, England will continue to play host to the World Test Championship (WTC) finals, having been awarded the rights for the next three editions.
This decision maintains continuity, England has already hosted all three WTC finals, including last month’s clash at Lord’s between South Africa and Australia.
While the tournament itself is still growing into its full potential, having a consistent venue helps establish a tradition, something Test cricket thrives on.
A growing cricket family
The ICC also expanded its global cricket family by welcoming Timor-Leste and Zambia as Associate Members. That brings the total number of ICC Members to 110, a strong sign that cricket is continuing to find fans and players in every corner of the globe.
It’s easy to overlook these additions in the shadow of larger announcements, but this grassroots growth is crucial. The future stars of world cricket may well come from places we haven’t yet considered.
While some nations are joining, one cricketing body is on borrowed time. USA Cricket has been granted a three-month extension to carry out crucial governance reforms. These reforms include completing free and fair elections, a long-standing issue that has plagued the board’s operations.
The ICC made it clear: accountability and structure matter. With growing interest in cricket in the US, especially after the successful T20 World Cup co-hosted earlier this year, this could be a make-or-break moment for cricket’s future in America.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
