Cricket Scotland rules out out bilateral fixtures with Afghanistan

[Cricket Scotland Bans Bilateral Series and Warm‑up Matches With Afghanistan Over Human‑Rights Concerns]

Cricket Scotland announced on November 9, 2026 that it will not proactively schedule bilateral series or standalone fixtures against Afghanistan men outside ICC events. The board also confirmed it will not host Afghan male players for warm‑up matches, practice games, or pre‑tour training camps. This policy takes immediate effect and remains in force unless a material change occurs in the circumstances surrounding Afghanistan women’s cricket or broader human‑rights conditions.

Scotland’s contracted male and female players were briefed by the board on the same day the policy was announced. The decision follows a board review triggered by the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s inquiry into the use of Scottish training venues in summer 2026 and concerns about the availability of Scottish athletes for the Afghanistan Premier League T20 draft.

“Cricket Scotland will comply with its obligations as set out in its contracts with its players,” the national cricketing body said in a statement.

“If an NOC is issued, participation by the player/s must not be interpreted as an endorsement by Cricket Scotland of the current Afghan regime or its policies.” Scotland added.

George Munsey was the sole Scotland‑contracted player selected for the Afghanistan Premier League T20. The organisation affirmed its compliance with the contractual obligations to its players, as reported by an ICC‑sourced statement, and clarified that any participation following a No‑Objection Certificate must not be deemed an endorsement of the Afghan government or its policies.

What is the background to Cricket Scotland’s decision?

Afghanistan was granted Full Member status by the ICC in 2017, yet the national board has not fulfilled the ICC’s requirement to fund and develop a women’s national team and related infrastructure. Analysts label the plight of Afghan women and girls as gender apartheid under Taliban rule.

The ICC unveiled a roadmap in early 2026 for an Afghanistan Refugee Women’s XI, which could compete in ICC events by 2030. The refugee squad, primarily based in Australia, toured England in the summer of 2026, aligning with the T20 World Cup schedule. These events formed part of the broader context that informed Cricket Scotland’s policy review.

Scotland and Afghanistan’s most recent full‑tournament encounter was the T20 World Cup in 2021. They also faced each other in a warm‑up match at the 2024 edition. In February the Afghan side edged Scotland by 61 runs in a pre‑World Cup warm‑up, paving the way for the upcoming tournament.

How will Cricket Scotland’s policy be reviewed going forward?

The board has pledged to review the policy on an annual basis. Material changes in Afghanistan’s women’s cricket development, shifts in human‑rights conditions, or a significant ICC ruling could trigger a reassessment of the stance.

The policy does not bar Scotland from competing against Afghanistan in ICC‑sanctioned events, so future T20 World Cups or other ICC tournaments remain eligible under the existing framework.

Source link