US Travel Ban May Affect Afghan Players' Major League Cricket Participation

US President Donald Trump has issued a travel ban effective June 9, fully restricting entry for nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, which may jeopardize the participation of seven Afghan cricketers contracted for the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season starting June 12. The ban includes a potential exemption for athletes traveling for major sporting events as determined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though it remains unclear if MLC will be classified as such. MLC officials and franchises are actively exploring options to ensure Afghan players can participate, including facilitating their arrival before the ban takes effect and lobbying for MLC’s designation as a major sporting event. Some Afghan players have already secured visas and entered the US, while others are still in the process. The ban applies only to those outside the US without valid visas on the effective date, providing some hope for affected players. League representatives continue to coordinate with relevant authorities to minimize disruptions ahead of the season kickoff.