The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed plans to welcome the Afghanistan refugee women’s team for a significant tour of England starting on June 22. The tour will feature high-quality training sessions, T20 matches, and a special visit to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s on July 5. This initiative stems from a collaboration between the MCC and the MCC Foundation, aiming to support and empower these players.
More than 20 members of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team have resettled in Australia since 2021, showcasing their resilience by participating in competitive matches. The exclusion of women from sports in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021 has added cultural and sporting significance to this tour. The players also had a presence in India during the previous year’s ODI World Cup.
The ECB’s Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women, Clare Connor, expressed delight in hosting the tour and emphasized cricket’s role in promoting inclusion and opportunity. The International Cricket Council (ICC) established a task force last year, in collaboration with various cricketing bodies, to support displaced Afghan female cricketers through direct monetary aid and assistance.
Former Australian cricketer and co-founder of It’s Game On, Mel Jones, commended the courage and dedication of the Afghan players, emphasizing the need for sustained support and recognition within the global cricket community. Despite Afghanistan’s full membership in the ICC, the absence of a women’s team contrasts with the men’s side retaining Test status. The recent approval for Afghanistan’s return to international women’s football by FIFA has been seen as a positive development for exiled players.
