Afghanistan’s female cricketers reunite for a match after 3 years in exile due to Taliban ban

Cricketer Firooza Amiri is gearing up to lead her team of Afghanistan Women’s XI in an exhibition game in Australia after more than three years of separation. The match against a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne’s Junction Oval is a significant moment for the players who were previously contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) before the Taliban regained control in August 2021.

Since fleeing Afghanistan, the women cricketers have been banned from playing in their home country and have found refuge in Canberra and Melbourne, where they have been actively participating in local club competitions. Amiri, along with Nahida Sapan who will captain the team, expressed their gratitude towards the Australian government and Cricket Australia for their unwavering support in promoting women’s sports.

Forced to leave their homes when the Taliban seized power, Amiri and her family sought safety in Pakistan before being evacuated to Australia. Sapan revealed in a 2023 interview with the BBC that her family received death threats from government officials following the Taliban’s resurgence, causing them to fear for their lives.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley commended the resilience of the players and emphasized the importance of the exhibition match in shedding light on the challenges faced by women in sports globally. He reiterated CA’s commitment to advocating for change at the international level, including discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Under Taliban rule, the Afghanistan Cricket Board is prohibited from fielding a national women’s team due to strict laws that restrict women from participating in sports, education, and medical studies. Despite being a full member of the ICC, Afghanistan’s failure to comply with gender equality standards has drawn criticism from international organizations such as the International Criminal Court.

While England and Australia have refused to engage in bilateral series with Afghanistan as a form of protest, they continue to compete against them in ICC events like the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The issue of boycotting matches against Afghanistan has sparked debate among cricketing nations, with differing stances on the matter.

Hockley defended Australia’s decision to participate in ICC events against Afghanistan, citing their obligation to fulfill fixtures while also advocating for gender equality in sports. He expressed hope that the exhibition match in Australia would become an annual event, serving as a catalyst for meaningful discussions and positive change within the cricketing community.

As the Afghanistan Women’s XI prepares to take the field once again, they symbolize a beacon of hope for women in Afghanistan and across the world who continue to fight for their rights and opportunities in sports and beyond. The match on Thursday is not just a game, but a powerful statement of resilience, unity, and progress for women in cricket.