Afghan Women Cricketers Return with a Historic T20 Match
28 JAN 2025
Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team, made up of refugees living in Australia, returns to the field for the first time since 2021 to play a historic T20 match against Cricket Without Borders XI.
The Afghanistan women’s cricket team is set to return to the field for the first time since 2021, marking a significant moment in their journey. Comprising players who sought refuge in Australia after the Taliban’s takeover, the team will face Cricket Without Borders XI in a T20 match at the Junction Oval in Melbourne this Thursday. The game will take place ahead of the opening day of the Women’s Ashes Test between Australia and England at the MCG.
This match symbolizes much more than cricket for the Afghan women, who have been rebuilding their lives in Canberra and Melbourne. Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley, speaking ahead of the event, acknowledged the challenges the players have faced and expressed hope for the impact this match could have on the broader community. He noted that the occasion has the potential to spark meaningful conversations about inclusion and the future of women’s cricket.
“This is an exciting moment, and my hope is that it leads to more opportunities. We want this to become an annual event and eventually see this team competing on the international stage, which is their ultimate goal,” Hockley said. He also highlighted the difficulties the players endured, from adapting to a new country to navigating life in unfamiliar circumstances, and applauded their passion for cricket.
For the players, the game represents both a personal and collective milestone. Nahida Sapan, one of the Afghan cricketers, described the match as historic for Afghan women, emphasizing its significance beyond the sport. “This is very special for us. It’s a moment for all Afghan women, and we have high hopes that this match will pave the way for education, sports, and a better future for Afghan women,” she said. Sapan also voiced a plea for continued community support, underlining the importance of sustained opportunities to keep the momentum alive.
Afghanistan’s women cricketers have had a turbulent journey since the political upheaval in their homeland, where restrictions have severely curtailed opportunities for women in sports and education. For them, this game is more than a return to cricket; it’s a platform for visibility and advocacy. They hope it will serve as a gateway to more matches and greater recognition, not just for their team but for the cause of Afghan women at large.
While this T20 match is a promising start, the broader dynamics of international cricket also come into play. Australia’s men’s team does not engage in bilateral series with Afghanistan but competes against them in ICC tournaments. The two sides are set to face each other in next month’s Champions Trophy.
