Afghanistan women’s team to enter field after 2021, to face Cricket Without Borders XI

Afghanistan women’s team to enter field after 2021, to face Cricket Without Borders XI

The Afghanistan women’s cricket team, comprising refugees living in Australia, will play a T20 match against Cricket Without Borders XI at the Junction Oval here on Thursday, first outing for them on a cricket field since 2021.

The cricket team members, who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, have been living in Canberra and Melbourne since arriving in Australia.

The match will be played ahead of the opening day of the day-night Women’s Ashes Test at the MCG between Australia and England.

“I think this is a first step. I think it’s going to be such an exciting day on Thursday, and my hope is that promotes lots of conversations, that this becomes an annual thing and then ultimately, that this team is able to compete on the international stage as is their want,” said Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley during a press meet.

“I don’t think any of us can comprehend what they’ve been through moving to a new country in such difficult circumstances, not speaking the language.

“I’m just inspired by their resilience, their love for the game and hopefully this game just raises awareness, a real beacon of hope,” he added.

Nahida Sapan, one of the Afghan cricketers, rated the moment as “historic” but wanted more support from the community.

“It’s really special for us, especially for Afghan women because this is a very historic moment for all Afghan women,” she said.

“We have a big hopes for this match, because this match can open doors for Afghan women, for education, sport and future. We don’t want this to be our first and last match. We want more matches. We want more support.” In men’s cricket, Australia do not play Afghanistan in bilateral matches but continue to face them in ICC tournaments.

The Aussies and the Afghans are placed in the same group for next month’s Champions Trophy.