The Afghan women's cricket team recently played a significant 20-over exhibition match against Cricket Without Borders at Melbourne's Junction Oval. The event marked their first match since fleeing the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. These athletes are now based in Australia and aim to inspire change back home through their participation in cricket. Many of the players, such as Firoza Amiri, emphasize that they represent millions of Afghan women who are denied their rights.
Nahida Sapan, a key figure in the team, articulates that their participation means more than just playing cricket; it is about hope and empowerment for Afghan women. The team, however, cannot play under the name of Afghanistan women due to International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, which require full membership to have women's teams and pathway structures in place.
"We play for Afghanistan, it means a lot for Afghan women because with this, they can and we can hope" – Nahida Sapan
Benafsha Hashimi, another Afghan player, designed the logo adorning their uniforms. The emblem features a red tulip and a golden wattle entwined around a cricket ball, symbolizing the national flowers of Afghanistan and Australia. This logo embodies the unity and resilience of the team despite being far from home.
In 2020, the Afghanistan Cricket Board granted professional contracts to 25 players. However, the Taliban's resurgence in 2021 disrupted their ability to play or train safely in Afghanistan. As a result, over 20 members of the national team relocated to Australia, where they have had to adapt by learning English to settle and apply for jobs.
The ICC has engaged with representatives from the Afghanistan government to discuss the team's ongoing participation in cricket. The governing body emphasized its commitment to fostering cricket development and ensuring opportunities for both men and women in Afghanistan.
"support the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in fostering cricket development and ensuring playing opportunities for both men and women in Afghanistan" – The governing body
The exhibition match was more than just a game; it was a platform to advocate for Afghan women's rights and education. Nahida Sapan expressed that the event could serve as an opening for Afghan women towards better opportunities in sports and education.
"This match can open doors for Afghan women for education, sport and future. We are building not just a team, we are building a movement for change and improvement" – Nahida Sapan
In addition, Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi reached out to England's players, urging them to use their influence to make a difference. Meanwhile, ECB chief executive Richard Gould highlighted the importance of a united effort within the ICC rather than isolated actions by individual members.
"a coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be significantly more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members" – ECB chief executive Richard Gould
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