Exclusive Afghanistan cricket team: The divisive legacy of racial privilege

In the volatile and divided country known as Afghanistan, cricket has become an unlikely symbol of privilege and exclusivity. The Afghan cricket team is often portrayed as a rallying cry for the country, but that is not the case. It is made up entirely of Pashtun players of Pakistani descent and is openly supported by the Taliban, while non-Pashtuns continue to suffer persecution in the country.

From the outset, Afghanistan cricket was designed to be an exclusively Pashtun entity. This exclusivity has historical roots, stemming from a divisive approach to unity. In so-called Afghanistan, the concept of a unified nation is a tenuous one at best, with Pashtun interests often enforced as national interests. The composition of the cricket team clearly reflects this enduring division.

Compounding the problem is that the identity of “Afghan” is not accepted by most non-Pashtuns. In an ethnically diverse country, the word “Afghan” is often seen as synonymous with Pashtun identity, further marginalizing other ethnic groups. This lack of inclusion only deepens the rifts in the country’s society.

The Taliban’s support for the predominantly Pashtun cricket team adds another layer of controversy. The Taliban is a terrorist group that has taken control of what is known as Afghanistan and is notorious for its repressive policies against non-Pashtuns and the systematic exclusion of women from public life. While ruthlessly promoting its regressive ideology, the Taliban’s open support for the predominantly Pashtun cricket team clearly demonstrates its priorities.

The incongruity of the situation is further highlighted by the fact that cricket itself was introduced to the region during British colonial times, but lacks indigenous roots in the region. It was a colonial introduction and is not a traditional sport of the region. A foreign sport is being used to reinforce racial divisions.

Afghanistan’s cricket team continues to deepen divisions and reinforce ethnic privilege of the Pashtuns. The cricket field, which should be a place of unity and sportsmanship, is instead a reminder of the country’s alleged continued divisions and instability.