While the Afghanistan men's team has gained global attention with their rise to Test-match status and a recent T20 World Cup semi-final appearance, the collapse of women’s cricket in Afghanistan has also come under renewed scrutiny.

As one of the 12 Test-playing nations, Afghanistan is required by International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations to maintain a women’s team. However, the ICC has resisted calls to suspend Afghanistan for failing to have a women’s side, stating that they must work through member boards.

In an open letter to ICC Chairman Greg Barclay published Monday, the Afghanistan women cricketers from the year before the Taliban takeover have appealed for help to end the deadlock and reestablish their team.

"We, the formerly contracted players of the Afghanistan women's team, are proud and excited by the achievements of Afghanistan at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and wish to congratulate Rashid Khan and his team on reaching the semi-finals," the letter said.

"A profound sadness remains that we, as women, cannot represent our country like the male cricketers. We are asking the ICC to assist us in setting up a refugee team in Australia. It could be administered by the East Asian Cricket office based at Cricket Australia. Through this team we aim to represent all Afghan women who dream of playing cricket but are unable to in Afghanistan."

Following their 2021 takeover, the Taliban government has implemented measures against women and girls that the United Nations has condemned as "gender apartheid," and the regime’s lack of international recognition has complicated Afghanistan’s role in global sports.

A number of Afghanistan women cricketers sought refuge in Australia and now play for local club teams. At this month’s Olympic Games in Paris, a gender-balanced team of three men and three women will represent Afghanistan, with all the female competitors currently based outside the country.