The Taliban have released a statement that women of Afghanistan will no longer be able to play sport on the grounds that such activities will expose their bodies or expose them to the media.
Twenty-five female cricketers were awarded contracts by Afghanistan's Cricket Board in November last year and it's understood it has continued to pay the players. However, the news has thrown into doubt November's women's cricket Test between Australia and Afghanistan held in Hobart at the end of the year.
Deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq said, the Taliban will allow men's cricket to continue and that it has given the green light for the men's national team to travel to Australia for a test match in Hobart later this year.