Afghan women's cricket crushed by threats, bombs and tradition

The founder of the national women's team, Afghan Diana Barakzai, poses for a picture at the Kabul Cricket Stadium December 24, 2014. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

KABUL (Reuters) - The story of Afghan cricket is a rare bright spot in the troubled country's recent past, full of unlikely successes and glory that have helped unify a divided nation. Unless you're a woman player.

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.