Women's rights matter more than any league, say Afghan cricketers

Afghan women's cricketers have accused overseas players signing up for the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League of sending a message to the world that women suffering in the country "can simply be ignored".

Women's participation in sport has been effectively outlawed since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, and many of Afghanistan's female cricketers left the country for their own safety.

The men's franchise league is expected to start in December in the UAE, though it is yet to be sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

In September, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) urged players to reconsider their involvement and batter Ollie Pope withdrew.