Cricket Scotland limits Afghanistan ties to ICC events

Cricket Scotland will restrict its men’s cricket engagements with Afghanistan to International Cricket Council events, saying it will not schedule bilateral series or take part in tri-series outside those competitions because of the Taliban government’s treatment of women and girls.

The policy also rules out hosting or participating in Afghanistan men’s pre-tour training camps, practice matches and warmup fixtures outside ICC events. Cricket Scotland said it would continue to play Afghanistan in ICC fixtures required by competition regulations, and that doing so should not be interpreted as endorsement of the Afghan government or its policies.

The restriction will remain in place unless there is a material change in circumstances surrounding women’s cricket in Afghanistan and broader human rights considerations, the board said. Cricket Scotland said it would review the policy annually or after a significant ICC decision or material change in circumstances.

The board’s review followed an approach from the Afghanistan Cricket Board in July seeking access to training facilities in Scotland ahead of Afghanistan’s series against Ireland. Cricket Scotland said it declined the request...