Home World Live International Crisis Female cricketers from Afghanistan come together for a game after three years of exile caused by the Taliban’s restrictions.

Female cricketers from Afghanistan come together for a game after three years of exile caused by the Taliban’s restrictions.

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Female cricketers from Afghanistan come together for a game after three years of exile caused by the Taliban’s restrictions.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Firooza Amiri, a cricketer, stated that her team aims to “represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights” as they gather for an exhibition match in Australia on Thursday after a hiatus of over three years.

An Afghanistan Women’s XI is set to compete against a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne’s Junction Oval. This much-anticipated event features 21 female athletes who had previously been contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) prior to the resurgence of the Taliban regime in August 2021.

After leaving Afghanistan, these women cricketers, who are no longer able to play in their homeland, have settled in Canberra and Melbourne, participating in various local club competitions.

Amiri, along with Nahida Sapan, who will captain the Afghanistan Women’s XI, expressed their gratitude toward the Australian government and Cricket Australia for their crucial support in advancing women’s sports.

“It’s incredibly meaningful for us to reunite after three years apart, having lost so much back home in Afghanistan,” Amiri remarked recently.

Forced to flee her homeland due to the Taliban’s resurgence, Amiri and her family initially sought refuge in Pakistan before being relocated to Australia.

“I also wish to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who has stood by us. Your support truly means the world to us,” said Sapan. “Together, we aren’t just forming a team; we are fostering a movement aimed at change and progress.

“This represents a significant moment for all Afghan women. This match could pave the way for greater opportunities in education, sports, and our future.”

In a discussion with the BBC earlier in 2023, Sapan revealed that her family had received threats from government officials, warning, “If we find you, we will not let you live.”

Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia, voiced admiration for the players’ resilience, noting the emotional impact when they received their team uniforms for the exhibition.

“Witnessing them hold their jerseys for the first time adorned with their names and numbers was truly moving,” Hockley said. “Their passion for the sport is incredibly inspiring.”

Hockley also mentioned that CA would continue advocating for change globally through discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC). He emphasized that Thursday’s exhibition marks a significant initial stride in this endeavor.

“This match highlights that, in many parts of the world, not all women and girls have the opportunity to play sports,” he remarked. “We will persist in our advocacy with the ICC and our engagement with the ACB.”

Currently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board is unable to assemble a national women’s team due to laws under Taliban rule that prohibit women from participating in sports, education, and even medical training. These regulations have drawn criticism from various international organizations, including the International Criminal Court.

Afghanistan maintains its status as a full ICC member, which theoretically necessitates having a women’s team. Despite this, England and Australia have opted not to engage in bilateral series against Afghanistan as a form of protest, although they still compete in ICC events such as the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

England’s captain, Jos Buttler, asserted that the team should not boycott their match against the Afghanistan men’s side during the Champions Trophy on February 26. Meanwhile, South Africa’s sports minister has called for a boycott of their match against Afghanistan in the same tournament.

When questioned about Australia’s willingness to participate in an ICC event against Afghanistan while refraining from bilateral matches, Hockley responded that CA felt “obligated” to honor all its scheduled commitments in ICC events.

“We are committed to making a positive difference in the realm of cricket,” Hockley said. “While we have played against Afghanistan in ICC events, we have drawn a line regarding direct series, and our position is unmistakable.”

Players like Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan from Afghanistan’s men’s national team have publicly supported women’s education on social media after the Taliban’s shutdown of nursing and midwifery training institutes.

Hockley expressed hopes that the exhibition match will become an annual fixture and engage public discourse on serious issues.

“Such moments are essential for fostering real change, with awareness being the first step,” Hockley noted. “This game serves as a beacon of hope for many.”