Afghan cricketers ready to represent ‘millions of women’ in Australia exhibition match

Team reunites after three years in exile after Taliban seized control of country and banned women’s sports

Firoza Amiri, left, and Nahida Sapan will be part of an Afghanistan Women's XI to take on a Cricket Without Borders XI team in Australia. Getty Images

Afghanistan female cricketers said Thursday's exhibition match in Australia will be a "historic moment" and that the team will "represent millions of women" back home denied their rights.

The Afghan team reunites after more than three years for an exhibition game against a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne’s Junction Oval.

It will bring together 21 female players who were formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board before the Taliban regime re-took control in August 2021.

The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women through a succession of decrees, including bans on higher education, taking jobs, appearing in public without a full-body covering, or niqab, and travelling without a mahram – a male guardian, as well as participating in sports.

Since fleeing Afghanistan, the team have been based in Canberra and Melbourne and playing for various club teams in local competitions.

Nahida Sapan, who will captain the Afghanistan Women’s XI, thanked the Australian government and Cricket Australia for their support in promoting women’s sport.

“I also want to express deepest gratitude for everyone who supported us. Your support means the world to us,” Sapan said. “Together we are building not just a team. We are building a movement for change and improvement.

“This is a very historic moment for all of Afghan women. This match can open doors for Afghan women for education, sport and our future.”

Firoza Amiri, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley and Nahida Sapan. Getty Images

Firoza Amiri was forced to flee her home country when the Taliban seized control. She and her family first travelled to Pakistan and then were evacuated to Australia.

“It’s very special for all of us to get back together after three years, leaving everything and losing everything back home in Afghanistan and come together again," Amiri said this week.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley praised the resilience of the players. He said it was a powerful moment when they were presented with their team shirts for the exhibition match.

“To see their playing shirts for the first time with their names and numbers on the back, you can see how much it means to them,” Hockley said. “I’m just inspired by their resilience, their love for the game.”

Hockley said CA would continue to “advocate” for change at a global level through discussions with the International Cricket Council. He said Thursday’s game represented an important first step.

“This match shines the light on the fact that in places around the world, not every woman and girl has the chance to play,” Hockley said. “We continue to advocate at the ICC and continue to engage with the ACB.

“It’s such a complex situation. It’s bigger than cricket.”

This is a very historic moment for all of Afghan women. This match can open doors for Afghan women for education, sport and our future.

Nahida Sapan

Under Taliban rule, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot field a national women's team because the country's laws forbid women from playing sport, studying and medical education, moves that have been criticised by world groups including the International Criminal Court.

Afghanistan is a full member of the ICC and a condition of that status should require it to have a women’s side.

Australia are refusing to participate in direct series against Afghanistan in protest, but continue to play against them in ICC events, such as next month’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Hockley said he hoped Thursday's match, the format for which was not announced, would become an annual one and that it would “promote lots of conversations."

“You need moments like this to prompt real change. The first piece is awareness,” Hockley said. “Hopefully this game just raises awareness. I think it’s a real beacon of hope.”