Afghanistan is in utter chaos. Ever since the Taliban took over the reins of the nation, hundreds of lives have been lost while thousands of others have made desperate attempts to leave the nation. Even Afghanistani cricketers have been praying for the welfare of their country. Yet, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi feels the Taliban have come to Afghanistan with a ‘positive mindset’.

Day-to-day activities have been affected in Afghanistan, with the Taliban imposing new regulations. The way working women function in the country has specifically been affected. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid even said that women should not go to work for their own safety. But Afridi, for some reason, is of the opinion that the Taliban is giving jobs to women and allowing them to work.

“Taliban have come with a very positive mind. They’re allowing ladies to work. And I believe Taliban like cricket a lot,” Afridi told the media in Pakistan on Monday.

“Taliban is giving jobs to ladies, supporting cricket and the cricket series against Pakistan as well. Taliban is very positive towards cricket,” he added.

Amid the current political situation in Afghanistan, even the forthcoming bilateral cricket series between the countries was suspended. The Afghanistan Cricket Board cited its players’ deteriorating mental health as the reason behind this decision.

The Taliban also had a meeting with some national cricketers in Pakistan where they had promised to support the sport. In the meeting national cricket team captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, former cricket board selection committee chairman Asadullah and Noor Ali Zadran were present.

It has also been reported, though the Taliban have no problem with Afghanistan’s men’s cricket team, the future of women cricketers is still uncertain

In a conversation with the Sports Desk podcast, Hamid Shinwari, chief executive of Afghanistan’s national board, said: “I think it will be stopped – that is my assumption. I really don’t know what the position in the future will be. We have kept the salaries and they are on our payroll. If the government decides that we don’t go with the national women’s team, we will have to stop it.”

The new structure under the Taliban rule is still being defined. These are still early days to know how cricketing and other activities involving women will function in the country. As of now, the country is in mayhem, with people still trying to find their feet.