In a powerful moment for sports and solidarity, the Afghanistan women’s cricket team will compete in a T20 exhibition match against the Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne’s Junction Oval on January 30. This will be the first time the team has come together to play since fleeing Afghanistan in 2021, when the Taliban assumed control and banned women from participating in sports. This historic event also aligns with the opening day of the Women’s Ashes Test at the MCG, underscoring the importance of empowering women in cricket.

Support and resilience amidst refuge

The Afghan women cricketers have been living in refuge in Canberra and Melbourne, where they’ve found solidarity and support from the Australian government and local cricket organizations. Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley remarked on the efforts that have come together to make this match possible, stating, “Many people across cricket and the community have come together to provide support for members of the Afghanistan women’s team since their relocation to Australia, and this match will be a celebration of that work.”

The exhibition match represents more than a game; it serves as a beacon of hope for Afghan women and girls back home, where sports opportunities remain restricted. The event showcases the commitment to women’s cricket and the team’s perseverance in maintaining their ambitions, despite the challenges they faced under the Taliban’s rule.

The fight for representation and recognition

Earlier this year, a group of 17 previously contracted Afghan players had appealed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to help set up a refugee team in Australia. In a letter to the ICC, they voiced their desire to compete at the highest level, much like the Afghanistan men’s team. “Our goals in having a refugee team are to develop and showcase our talent, give hope to the women remaining in Afghanistan, and to draw attention to the challenges Afghan women face,” they wrote. Their plea highlighted their dreams to "recruit and train girls and women who love cricket, to show the world the talent of Afghan women."

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ICC Chief Geoff Aldrice had acknowledged the challenges for the Afghanistan Cricket Board in developing a women’s team under the current government in Afghanistan. He expressed optimism about the exhibition match, noting that the team’s resilience and ambition would be on display for the world.

As Afghan women cricketers prepare to step onto the field once more, their journey stands as an inspiring testament to resilience, determination, and the unyielding spirit of sportswomen who are unwilling to give up on their dreams. This landmark game promises to be a powerful addition to the day-night Women's Ashes Test events, highlighting a cause that transcends borders and barriers, fostering hope for a brighter future for Afghan women in sports.