2. Previous Function:
Women's Cricket Coach in Afghanistan (2021)

3. Biodata:
Mrs Diana Barakzai was born 1987 in Afghanistan. Barakzai, who like many of her male counterparts, learnt to play the sport in Pakistan, and boasts a proud history as a player, administrator, and founder of organized women’s cricket in Afghanistan.

The founder of the national women's team, Diana Barakzai, resigned in April 2022. She said the cricket board obstructed the team. Diana Barakzai now lives in Australia (2023).

Background:

Once the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, women were prevented from playing cricket and all other sport. The 25 already-contracted players had their payments stopped, and they fled the country after receiving threats and fearing for their future.

Afghanistan is one of only 12 full-members of the ICC, and is currently in breach of its obligations to support and develop women's cricket.
 

A national women's cricket team formed in 2010 with some fanfare was quietly dissolved this year amid Taliban threats, insecurity and conservative beliefs that led to a shortage of players.

"It does not exist," said the newly appointed chairman of Afghanistan's cricket board, Nasimullah Danish, when asked about the team. "The situation is not very much prepared for developing women's cricket in Afghanistan." Activists say the fate of the squad is indicative of a wider lack of institutional support for women in sport in a country where many men are deeply uncomfortable with the idea of their sisters and daughters competing in public.