Cricket Ireland has defended its decision to host Afghanistan in a bilateral men’s series, rejecting suggestions that playing the country reflects indifference towards the treatment of Afghan women and pointing to longstanding reciprocal commitments alongside its work supporting displaced women cricketers, according to a report by the Irish Examiner.
The governing body’s response follows criticism from Ireland’s Green Party Leader Roderic O’Gorman, who opposed Ireland playing Afghanistan while the country’s women’s team remains displaced. Cricket Ireland said its Board and staff remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly the position of women.
Cricket Ireland points to existing obligations
Ireland’s recently completed five-match ODI series against Afghanistan was arranged under a reciprocal agreement established several years ago, with hosting responsibilities understood by both parties. Afghanistan won the series 4-0 after the opening match at Stormont was abandoned because of rain.
Cricket Ireland said its position as an ICC Full Member brings international scheduling responsibilities and reciprocal hosting commitments, making Ireland’s circumstances different from those of some other governing bodies.
Addressing its position, a Cricket Ireland spokesperson said they: “share a moral discomfort at the situation around human rights — and in particular, women’s rights — in that country.”
The wider debate has also drawn comparisons between Ireland’s approach and the positions taken by other ICC Full Members. Cricket Ireland said in a statement: “While Cricket Australia and the England & Wales Cricket Board have policies regarding not playing bilateral series against Afghanistan, both countries continue to play Afghanistan in ICC events and have done so in recent years.”
Cricket Ireland also addressed the circumstances surrounding the respective bilateral relationships with Afghanistan. It added: “Furthermore, neither Australia nor England has the same reciprocal hosting obligations, given that no corresponding hosted series arrangements exist in their case. In addition, immediately prior to the Irish series, Afghanistan made use of facilities in England as part of its preparations.”
Cricket Ireland currently has no further bilateral matches against Afghanistan scheduled, with seven fixtures that had previously been planned having been set aside some time ago.
Engagement with Afghan women shapes Ireland’s position
Alongside fulfilling its existing men’s bilateral commitments, Cricket Ireland has maintained contact with the Afghanistan Women’s Refugee Team and recently met representatives of the displaced players in London.
As previously reported by cricexec, Cricket Ireland said those discussions indicated that the women did not want bilateral men’s cricket cancelled and instead wanted such fixtures to provide greater attention to women’s rights in Afghanistan and the challenges facing displaced Afghan cricketers.
Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Officer Sarah Keane has also been appointed to the ICC’s Afghanistan Task Force, which is overseeing support for the displaced Afghan women’s team and working towards a pathway for its participation in ICC qualification events.
Cricket Ireland said in a statement: “We firmly believe that the suppression and continuing erosion of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan is abhorrent, and we have engaged with a broad range of stakeholders on this issue over a sustained period, including representatives of the Afghan community in Ireland.”
Cricket Ireland staff also wore specially commissioned pink versions of their event uniform during the recent Ireland-Afghanistan men’s series, which the governing body characterised as a small gesture.
O’Gorman challenges decision to play Afghanistan
O’Gorman has taken a different position on how Irish cricket should respond to the situation, arguing that human rights considerations should have prevented the bilateral series from taking place.
Green Party Leader Roderic O’Gorman said: “The Irish cricket team should not be playing this game. We have seen over the past few months that Irish people want their sports teams to represent their views on human rights.”
His criticism centred particularly on Ireland hosting Afghanistan while the country’s displaced women cricketers are unable to represent Afghanistan from within the country.
O’Gorman added: “It is unconscionable that this game be played when the women’s Afghan cricket team play in exile.”
The dispute leaves Cricket Ireland balancing criticism of its decision to stage the series with its existing international commitments and its engagement with displaced Afghan women cricketers. With the five-match ODI series now completed, the governing body has no future bilateral fixtures against Afghanistan currently scheduled.
