NEW DELHI: Female Afghan cricketer Firooza Amiri declares that her team will “represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights” as they reunite for an exhibition match in Australia on Thursday.
The Afghanistan Women’s XI is set to face a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne’s Junction Oval, bringing together 21 female players who previously held contracts with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) before the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
The women cricketers, prohibited from playing in Afghanistan, have settled in Canberra and Melbourne, participating in local club competitions since their departure.
Team captain Nahida Sapan and Amiri expressed appreciation to Cricket Australia and the Australian government for supporting women’s sports.
Amiri, who escaped to Pakistan before reaching Australia following the Taliban takeover, highlighted the significance of the team’s reunion after three years of displacement.
Sapan emphasised the broader impact, stating that the match represents hope for Afghan women’s education, sports, and future. In 2023, she revealed to the BBC that her family received death threats from officials, including messages stating: “If we find you, we will not let you live.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley commended the players’ determination and described the emotional moment when they received their team shirts. He confirmed CA’s commitment to advocate for change through the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Under Taliban governance, Afghanistan’s laws prohibit women from participating in sports, education, and medical training. Despite being an ICC full member, Afghanistan cannot field a women’s national team, leading England and Australia to refuse bilateral series whilst continuing participation in ICC events.
England captain Jos Buttler supports playing against Afghanistan in the February 26 Champions Trophy match in Lahore, though South Africa’s sports minister advocates for a boycott.
Afghan men’s team players Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan have publicly supported women’s education following the Taliban’s closure of nursing and midwifery institutes.
Hockley expressed hope that Thursday’s match would become an annual event, fostering dialogue and awareness about women’s rights in Afghanistan.
