Historic Moment for Afghan Women's Cricket: First Match in Melbourne Against Australia After Three Years

Historic Moment for Afghan Women's Cricket: First Match in Melbourne Against Australia After Three Years

Three years after the Taliban took control, Afghanistan’s women cricketers have played their first match. They reunited for a charity match in Melbourne, Australia, which captain Nahida Sapan hopes will symbolize progress for women’s education and sports.

After the Taliban took power in August 2021, hundreds of female athletes fled Afghanistan. With bans imposed on women’s sports and education, most of Afghanistan’s female cricketers settled as refugees in Australia.

Speaking about the match held at Melbourne’s Junction Oval on Thursday, Sapan said, "We’re not just forming a team, we’re building a movement for change and promise. This match can open doors for Afghan women in education and sport in the future."

In 2020, the Afghanistan Cricket Board had offered professional contracts to 25 female cricketers. However, before the team could take the field, the Taliban captured Kabul in 2021 and declared an end to women’s cricket.

Diana Barakzai, a former founder of Afghanistan's first women’s cricket program, called this match an "amazing moment." She said, "This sends a strong message to the world that something must be done for Afghan women, especially to open school doors and work opportunities."

Of the 25 women once contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board, 22 are now living in Melbourne and Canberra. These players have petitioned the International Cricket Council (ICC) to form a refugee team with official status.

However, the ICC has yet to respond to these requests. In a joint letter, the Afghan female players wrote, "It is profoundly sad that, as women, we cannot represent our country like the male cricketers. However, the creation of this team would allow us to unite and represent our country under one banner."

The charity match was organized by Cricket Without Borders, an organization that encourages young women to get involved in cricket. Cricket Australia supported the match and has pledged to advocate for Afghan women cricketers at the highest levels.

Cricket Australia’s CEO Nick Hockley said, "I’m incredibly proud of the Australian cricket community for supporting these players."

Due to human rights concerns, Australia has boycotted several non-tournament fixtures against the Afghanistan men’s team in recent years.