April 24, 2025 2:21 am
Full News

Taliban’s Sports Ban: Afghan Women’s Cricket Team in Exile Plays Historic Match

In a landmark event for Afghan women’s cricket, an Afghanistan Women’s XI played their first competitive match in Australia, marking a significant moment for the sport and for women’s rights in Afghanistan. This 20-over exhibition game took place at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, showcasing not just cricket but also a stand for gender equality.

The team, composed of more than 20 players who have been in Australia since the Taliban regained power in 2021, aimed to send a message of hope and positivity back to their homeland where women’s participation in sports has been effectively banned. The match was not just about cricket; it was about representing millions of Afghan women who are denied basic rights like education and sports.

Firoza Amiri, one of the players, emphasized the importance of the match, stating, “We are going to represent millions of Afghan women who are in Afghanistan and denied their rights.” The event was designed to potentially “open doors for Afghan women for education, sport and future,” according to player Nahida Sapan.

The match itself was a celebration of cricket and unity, with the Afghanistan Women’s XI playing against Cricket Without Borders. The occasion was graced by the presence of notable figures like England captain Heather Knight, the Australian Governor General, and Clare Connor, the deputy CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board. The game also saw the unification of two groups of Afghan players based in Melbourne and Canberra, a reunion after their displacement from Afghanistan.

Benafsha Hashimi, another Afghan player, contributed to the event by designing a logo that symbolized the connection between Australia and Afghanistan through their national flowers – the red tulip and the golden wattle – entwined around a cricket ball.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been in discussions about supporting cricket development in Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for opportunities for both men and women, despite the current government policies. There have been calls for a boycott of matches against Afghanistan’s men’s team to pressure for changes in women’s rights, but the stance of the ICC has been to work through the Afghanistan Cricket Board to foster change.

This match was not just a game but a beacon of hope for Afghan women, showcasing their spirit and resilience against adversity. It was a step towards building not just a cricket team but a movement for change and improvement in gender equality in Afghanistan.

Related News
India Signs $248 Million Arms Deal with Russia
Elon Musk Adopts ‘Kekius Maximus’ Moniker, Sparks Speculation
U.S. Senator Meets with Chinese Premier
Bushfire Ravages Rural Australia, Residents Warned It’s “Too Late to Leave”
India’s Billionaires Ambani and Adani See Wealth Drop Below $100 Billion Amid Business Challenges
Bella Hadid Makes a Surprise Cameo in Yellowstone Season Finale
Related Posts
MIDI Strategic Vision: Analysis of Development and Economic Impact in Bangladesh.
Title: South Asia’s Growth Prospects Declining Alarmingly: World Bank
India Declares Pakistani Military Advisers ‘Persona Non Grata’
India Cancels Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan Following Kashmir Attack
Swachip Office Vandalized Amid Political Turmoil : Bangladeshi Doctors’ Body Blames ‘Illegitimate Yunus Government’
Modi Avoids Pakistani Airspace on Return from Saudi Arabia
More News

Nvidia’s Stock Recovers Amid AI Market Turbulence

After a turbulent day in the stock market that saw Nvidia’s (NVDA) market capitalization plummet by nearly $600 billion, the tech giant’s stock began its recovery, rising close to 9% on Tuesday. This rebound followed a significant 17% drop the previous day, triggered by growing concerns over a new, cost-effective AI model introduced by Chinese […]

Germany Condemns Taiwanese Activist’s Nazi Display as ‘Shameless’

The German Institute in Taipei has strongly condemned Taiwanese activist Sung Chien-liang for displaying Nazi symbols during a public appearance, calling his actions “shameless.” Sung, affiliated with the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) party, wore a Nazi armband, held a Chinese translation of Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf,” and performed a Nazi salute outside the New Taipei District […]

19-Year-Old Jakub Defeats Djokovic, Delaying His 100th Career Title

Novak Djokovic, the owner of 24 Grand Slam titles, lost in the final of the Miami Open to 19-year-old Jakub Mensik. The 37-year-old Serbian tennis star was defeated by the Czech player in straight sets (7-6, 7-6). With this win, Mensik claimed his first ATP title, having been inspired to play tennis by none other […]

Alec Baldwin Manslaughter Case Officially Concluded as Prosecutors Drop Appeal

The manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin, stemming from the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” in 2021, has been officially concluded. Prosecutors in New Mexico withdrew their appeal on December 23, 2024, signaling the end of legal proceedings. The decision follows a July 2024 dismissal of charges due to alleged […]

6.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes North of Kathmandu, Nepal

On February 28, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck north of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre. The earthquake’s epicenter was around Bhairab Kunda in the Sindhupalchok District, close to the Himalayan mountain range along the border with Tibet. The German Research Centre for Geosciences placed the earthquake’s magnitude at 5.6 […]

U.S. Fraud Case Against Indian Billionaire Gautam Adani Bolstered by Key Evidence, Experts Say

NEW YORK – The U.S. fraud case against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, accused of bribery and securities fraud, is underpinned by crucial documents that legal experts believe strengthen the prosecution’s case. However, Adani’s extradition to the U.S. to face trial remains uncertain. Last month, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn unsealed an indictment charging Adani, his nephew […]

“Where you going, Joe?” [Video]

During his visit to Brazil for the G-20 Summit, President Joe Biden unveiled a plan to reforest the Amazon but avoided questions about the U.S. decision to let Ukraine use long-range missiles against Russia—a significant escalation in the conflict. Russian state media outlet RT mocked Biden with a video on X, captioned: “Biden finishes press […]

Tokyo Sushi Restaurateurs Shell Out $1.3 Million for a Motorbike-Sized Bluefin Tuna in New Year’s Auction

In an event that underscores the luxury and tradition of Japanese cuisine, Tokyo’s sushi aficionados have set a new benchmark by purchasing a colossal bluefin tuna for ¥207 million ($1.3 million; £1 million) at the annual New Year’s auction held at Toyosu Fish Market. This sale marks the second highest price ever recorded for a […]

Martinez Reveals When He Plans to Retire

Emiliano Martinez, who played a key role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, has announced that he will retire from international football once he wins another World Cup with his country. The goalkeeper, who was also named the best goalkeeper of the tournament, stated that his decision to retire depends on the team’s success. In […]

NATO Launches Baltic Sentry Mission to Enhance Maritime Surveillance

BRUSSELS – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a new mission, Baltic Sentry, aimed at bolstering maritime presence and surveillance in the Baltic Sea. The mission will deploy a range of assets, including frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and cutting-edge naval drones1. Rutte emphasized the critical importance of protecting undersea cables, which secure over 95% of […]