Afghanistan had 25 contracted women cricketers in 2020, most of whom have resettled in Australia with humanitarian visas due to restrictions at home under the hardline Taliban government.
The WCA's most striking solution to that problem is a complete overhaul of the International Cricket Council's existing future tours programme.
The T20 competition barred the practice after it was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as a precautionary measure during the pandemic.
West Indies legend Sir Andy Roberts slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for giving in to India’s wishes in the recently-concluded ICC Champions Trophy in which the Men in Blue refused to travel to the tournament’s host country Pakistan.
Over the last three ICC events, India have lost just one match -- the 2023 ODI World Cup final -- leading many to argue that they hardly needed what some have termed an “unfair advantage” of playing exclusively in Dubai.
The International Cricket Council, which has former Indian board secretary Jay Shah as its current chairman, has been criticised for obliging the game's financial engine by letting India camp in Dubai.
Beyond the spectacle, a larger question looms: what does this tournament, returning after eight long years, mean for the future of ODI cricket?
Australia have now won all three editions of the championship, which was instituted in 2014 to grow the women’s game and has been instrumental in ensuring more women’s cricket tours over the past decade.
Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai built on an impressive 2023 to become one of the world’s leading One Day International performers in 2024, with his right-arm pace bowling and multi-faceted batting game helping take the Afghanistan team to a new level.
West Indies great Clive Lloyd is "disturbed" by the idea of a two-tier structure for Test cricket and believes efforts should instead be focused on ensuring struggling teams play more often against the top sides.
Vaughan joined former India coach Ravi Shastri in urging a shake-up which would include relegation and promotion to help ensure the survival of the red-ball game.
Any plan for a move to two divisions in Test cricket would kick in after the end of the current Future Tours Program in 2027, a year which will also feature a 150th anniversary Test match between Australia and England at the MCG.
Three stylish all-rounders and a batting stalwart who enjoyed a stellar 2024 across formats made it to the nominees for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for Women’s Cricketer of the Year.
England’s marathon run-scoring duo, Australia’s swashbuckling left-hander and India’s pace-bowling icon made for a stellar list of nominees for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.
“I was still sulking in the toilet. There were not a lot of conversations. We still had the confidence. I did not come out to the viewing area and was in the toilet. I came when 15 runs were needed,” Bavuma laughed.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) bans "inappropriate physical contact" and those found guilty can be suspended for matches if the offence is deemed serious enough.
Bangladesh will start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against India in Dubai on February 20.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Barclay cautioned Shah against taking the game "under the yoke of India".
West Indies cricketers Jayden Seales and Kevin Sinclair were both fined Wednesday for breaching the International Cricket Council's code of conduct during the second Test defeat by Bangladesh.
