British Deputy Foreign Minister Meets Afghan Women's Cricket Team and Urges Stand Against Taliban Treatment of Women

British Deputy Foreign Minister Himesh Falconer met with the Afghan women's cricket team while the players were in the United Kingdom. During the meeting, Falconer hosted the team at Parliament and joined them in playing cricket. Following the encounter, he posted on the social media platform X, stating that it is necessary to stand against the Taliban's treatment of women and girls.

The Afghan women's cricket team was formed in 2010. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the team lost its status as the official national team. Many of the players have left Afghanistan since then, and some are now living in Australia. The team traveled to Britain after receiving an invitation from the England and Wales Cricket Board to take part in exhibition matches.

The players also met with King Charles III on the third of July. After the meeting, the British royal family issued a statement indicating that Afghan women and girls are deprived of the opportunity to participate in sports. The statement also highlighted restrictions faced by women and girls in areas such as education, employment, and public life. Over the past several years, the Taliban have implemented a ban preventing women and girls from taking part in any sports within Afghanistan.