Exiled Afghanistan Women’s Cricket Team to Embark on England Tour

A Testament to Resilience

In a significant moment for global cricket, the Afghanistan Refugee Women’s cricket team is set to embark on a transformative tour of England starting June 22. This initiative, hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with the backing of the MCC, the MCC Foundation, and the sports consultancy It’s Game On, serves as more than just a sporting tour; it is a profound statement of courage and a call for inclusion on the international stage.

The Road to Exile

The journey of these athletes has been fraught with unimaginable challenges. In late 2020, there was a glimmer of hope for women’s cricket in Afghanistan when the national board conducted trials in Kabul and offered central contracts to 25 female players. However, the political landscape shifted drastically just nine months later. The Taliban takeover in 2021 effectively banned women and girls from participating in most public spheres, including sport, forcing many of these talented cricketers to flee their homeland.

Today, the majority of these players reside in Australia. While their formal efforts to be recognized as a national team in exile by the International Cricket Council (ICC) have not yet yielded the desired outcome, they have not given up on the sport they love. They previously made appearances as an Afghanistan Refugee XI against a Cricket Without Borders side during the 2025 Women’s Ashes and traveled to India as spectators for the 50-over World Cup.

Building a Platform for Change

This upcoming tour in England represents a crucial step in maintaining the group’s cohesion. By providing training opportunities and competitive T20 matches, the organizers aim to give these players a platform to showcase their skills while keeping the conversation about their plight at the forefront of the sporting world. Mel Jones, the former Australian cricket legend and co-founder of It’s Game On, has been instrumental in facilitating this opportunity.

“These players have shown extraordinary courage and commitment to the game, despite everything that has been taken from them,” Jones observed. She emphasized that while this tour is a victory, the sporting community must look beyond one-off events. According to Jones, there is an urgent need for “sustained and meaningful action” to support displaced and under-represented female athletes globally.

Institutional Support and the Future

The ECB’s involvement underscores a growing recognition within cricket’s governing bodies that the sport must lead by example. Clare Connor, ECB Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women, highlighted the necessity of this partnership. “Since being displaced from Afghanistan in 2021, these players have shown extraordinary resilience in continuing their cricket journeys, in incredibly challenging circumstances,” Connor stated. She added that cricket carries an inherent responsibility to champion inclusion and opportunity for all, regardless of background or current circumstances.

What Lies Ahead

The tour will culminate with the team joining the spectators at the T20 Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s. This symbolic gesture serves to remind the world that these women, despite their displacement, remain an integral part of the global cricket community. As they continue to train and compete, they carry the hopes of many, challenging the status quo and proving that the spirit of sport cannot be easily extinguished by political oppression. The cricket world will undoubtedly be watching closely as these athletes take to the field in England, hoping that this tour acts as a catalyst for more permanent solutions to help them reclaim their right to compete on the world stage.