Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has called on Cricket Ireland to invite Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team to play in the country.
Bennett wrote on his X account on Sunday, 2 August, that Cricket Ireland should support the team’s official recognition by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
He added that Cricket Ireland has an opportunity to support gender equality and stand behind Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team.
Bennett’s remarks came after Cricket Ireland announced that “appropriate” security measures had been put in place for the one-day international matches between its men’s national team and Afghanistan.
The comments come as women and girls in Afghanistan have faced widespread restrictions in various areas, including sports, education, and employment, following the Taliban’s return to power.
Previously, several international organizations and figures had also called for support for women’s sports in Afghanistan and for creating conditions to allow the country’s women’s cricket team to resume its activities.
