Afghan women ask ICC for 'clear answers' on future

Afghan women ask ICC for 'clear answers' on futureImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Afghanistan women's team met King Charles at Clarence HouseByJo CurrieWomen’s Sport ReporterPublished19 minutes agoAfghanistan Women's cricket team has called on the International Cricket Council to give them a "clear answer" on what their future looks like.The players spoke to BBC Sport after the opening match of their tour of England, where they beat an MCC Foundation XI at Worsley Cricket Ground in High Wycombe.The victory was as significant as it was emotional. It was their first win as a team since fleeing Afghanistan five years ago after receiving death threats from the Taliban.The celebrations at the end of the match were a powerful reminder of how far this group of women have come. But despite the joy of victory, major questions remain over what lies ahead.Since settling in Australia, where they now live and train, the players have repeatedly called on the ICC to recognise them once again as an international team and commit to long-term funding.Batter Firooza Amiri says the uncertainty surrounding their future is "very worrying"."Where are we going to end up? What is the next step? We need a clear answer."We are fully committed to this team and we've put everything else aside to play cricket. But we also need the ICC to give us a clear answer. Are they going to support us?"A royal pep-talkWithout official ICC recognition, the side are touring as the 'Afghan Refugee Women's Team' and are wearing a specially designed badge instead of Afghanistan's official crest.That, however, did little to diminish the significance of their victory."The girls were screaming everywhere and crying as well," all-rounder Firooza Afghan said."This match gives the girls confidence. When we play cricket, we're not just playing for ourselves. It's for Afghanistan and it's for the women...