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

Afghan women cricketers reunite in Australia after fleeing Taliban, promoting women's rights and cricket globally.

Cricketer Firooza Amiri says her team will "represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights” when the side reunites after more than three years for an exhibition game in Australia on Thursday (January 30, 2025).

An Afghanistan Women’s XI will play a Cricket Without Borders XI in the match at Melbourne’s Junction Oval. It will bring together 21 female players who were formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) before the Taliban regime re-took control in August 2021.

Since fleeing Afghanistan, the women cricketers, banned from playing in their home country, have been based in Canberra and Melbourne and playing for various club teams in local competitions.

Amiri and 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.

“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.

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

“I also want to express deepest gratitude for everyone who support 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.