Afghan women set for ICC funding extension

Afghanistan's women's refugee team are set to have their funding extended.

Last year, the cricket boards in England, Australia and India, plus the International Cricket Council (ICC), announced a combined programme to support the players who were exiled after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Sources have told BBC Sport the task force responsible for the matter met during the governing body's annual conference in Edinburgh and recommended the project continue.

Outgoing ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja will now formally present that recommendation at the board meeting on Saturday.

Officials from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia (CA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have all backed the proposal and it would be a major surprise if the ICC board do not sign it off.

The three boards are also keen for the ICC to play a more substantial role in the project moving forward with a share of the funding and resources.

Since settling in Australia, where they now live and train, Afghanistan's women's players have repeatedly called on the ICC to recognise them once again as an international team and commit to long-term funding.

They are currently on a tour of the UK and last month called on the ICC to give them a "clear answer" on what their future looks like.

An exact timeframe for how long the funding will exist for will be discussed at the board meeting but it is understood there could be a commitment up until 2032.

-BBC