After securing four wins out of their first seven group-stage matches, Afghanistan’s unexpected journey towards the semi-finals has become one of the heartwarming stories of the Cricket World Cup. Before this year’s tournament, Afghanistan had only managed to win one World Cup match, a thrilling victory over Scotland in 2015. However, their recent wins against England, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have positioned them as genuine contenders for a semi-final spot. The national men’s team has brought pride to their war-torn country, with scenes of celebration in Kabul after their recent victory over Pakistan. Unfortunately, Afghanistan’s World Cup success is overshadowed by the plight of the women’s cricketers who are now forced to live in exile. Following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, women and girls in Afghanistan have faced severe restrictions, including the suspension of education and the prohibition of playing sports. The 25 professional women’s cricketers from Afghanistan were forced to leave their country, with 22 currently residing in Australia. Some have given up on cricket, while others continue playing at the club level. However, they have not received any contact from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) or the International Cricket Council (ICC). As the only full member nation without a functioning women’s cricket team, Afghanistan’s ACB has been under scrutiny and faced calls for sanctions or losing their full member status. However, the ICC voted against these measures earlier this year, claiming that the ACB cannot rectify the situation. The ACB continues to receive funding from the ICC for women’s team development, although it is believed that none of these funds have reached the women’s cricketers in exile. While several cricket boards, including Cricket Australia (CA), have publicly condemned the treatment of women in Afghanistan, CA decided not to withdraw from their World Cup match against Afghanistan, highlighting the distinction between a bilateral series and a tournament subject to ICC regulations. The decision has been criticized, with accusations of hypocrisy. The Afghanistan men’s cricketers have rarely spoken up in support of their national women’s players, creating a sense of disappointment among the women’s team. The women’s cricketers continue to support the men’s team but hope for reciprocation in their fight for the right to play cricket. The upcoming match between Australia and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place in Mumbai, with allegations of human rights abuses against the Taliban resurfacing.