Cricket Scotland has said they will not actively schedule bilateral fixtures or one-off matches against Afghanistan men due to concerns about the state of women's cricket and human rights. The announcement will prevent Afghanistan from using facilities in Scotland for warm-up matches, practice matches or tour preparation. (9th November 2026)

The new policy will come into force immediately but will be reviewed if there is a major change to the situation around women's cricket and human rights in Afghanistan. Cricket Scotland has also confirmed that they alerted the men's and women's contracted players of the decision on the same day.

Cricket Scotland clarifies stance on Afghanistan Premier League participation

The decision comes after Cricket Scotland's board carried out a review into the matter. This followed discussions with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in the Summer of 2026 and an investigation into whether Scottish facilities would be used. It also looked at whether Scottish players would be involved in the Afghanistan Premier League T20 Draft.

The board said it will uphold its contractual obligations to any players offered opportunities to play in the competition.

“Cricket Scotland will comply with its obligations as set out in its contracts with its players.”

However, the issuing of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) will not imply any support for the current government or policies in Afghanistan.

“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.”

As George Munsey is the only contracted Scotland player to earn a spot in the Afghanistan Premier League T20, the board can ensure they are upholding their contractual obligations whilst stating their views on how women and girls are being treated in Afghanistan.

The decision made by Cricket Scotland follows those made by England and Australia. In May 2026, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that they would not sanction any bilateral matches against Afghanistan due to concerns over women's rights in the country under the Taliban. Similarly, Cricket Australia had already done this.

Why has Cricket Scotland made this decision?

Since Afghanistan were granted Full Member status within the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017, they have received consistent criticism for failing to put in place and support a women's national cricket team and the relevant development structures.

Following the return of the Taliban, there has been increasing concern over human rights in Afghanistan. Women have been restricted from education, employment and public life. This has led to criticism internationally. Experts in human rights have also referred to how women and girls are being treated in Afghanistan as gender apartheid.

Earlier this year, the ICC released a roadmap to support the creation of an Afghanistan Refugee Women's XI.

Primarily based in Australia, the Refugee Women's XI traveled to England in the Summer of 2026. This was during the T20 World Cup.

Scotland vs Afghanistan can still play in ICC tournaments

Although Cricket Scotland have decided not to play any bilateral matches with Afghanistan, they have not ruled out playing them in ICC international tournaments.

The last time they played each other in a full international was at the T20 World Cup in 2021. They did, however, play a warm-up game prior to the T20 World Cup in 2024. Most recently, they faced off on February 2nd 2026, in a warm-up game ahead of this year's T20 World Cup, with Afghanistan winning by 61 runs.

Scotland can still play against Afghanistan in future T20 World Cups and other international tournaments as they are now covered under the new policy. They will not play any bilateral matches that are organized and will not use Scottish facilities.

Cricket Scotland will review policy every year

Cricket Scotland has confirmed that this decision may not be permanent. They will be reviewing their policy every year.

If there are any major developments regarding women's cricket in Afghanistan, human rights improving or changing, or any decisions made by the ICC, they may reconsider their decision.

However, the board has not set a specific timeframe for when they will remove these restrictions. Or what conditions Afghanistan must meet to play bilateral matches with Scotland.

At the moment, Cricket Scotland are taking the stance that whilst they will uphold their international cricketing obligations, they will not organize any bilateral matches with Afghanistan.