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.