Melbourne
Afghan women cricketers, now living as refugees in Australia, are set to make a significant return to the field. On January 30, they will play a T20 match against Cricket Without Borders XI at Junction Oval in Melbourne. This marks their first match together since fleeing Afghanistan after the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said on Friday.
The game coincides with the opening of the pink-ball Women’s Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), adding to the day’s celebration of women’s cricket.
‘This match is a celebration of the incredible support the cricket community and others have provided to the Afghanistan women’s team since they relocated to Australia,’ said Nick Hockley.
The players have been living in Canberra and Melbourne since 2021, after the Taliban took over Afghanistan, restricting women’s participation in sports. The Australian government played a crucial role in facilitating their relocation and opportunities to continue playing.
Earlier this year, 17 contracted Afghan women cricketers wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC), seeking help to form a refugee team in Australia. Their aim is to showcase their skills, inspire women in Afghanistan, and compete at international levels like the Afghan men’s team.
‘We want to give hope to Afghan women and show the world what they can achieve when given the opportunity,’ their statement read.
Hockley praised the initiative, stating, ‘This exhibition match fulfills their dream of playing together again and adds excitement to the Women’s Ashes Test events.’
