London, May 22: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is set to host Afghanistan’s refugee women’s cricket team. The players will participate in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s on July 5.
As part of a partnership between the MCC and the MCC Foundation, the tour will include high-level training sessions and T20 matches for the team. This tour holds significant cultural and sporting importance, especially since women in Afghanistan have been completely barred from sports since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Since 2021, over 20 members of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team have settled in Australia, where they played their first competitive match in Melbourne in January 2025. The team members were also present during the ODI World Cup held in India last year.
Claire Connor, Managing Director of England Women’s Cricket, stated, “Since being displaced from Afghanistan in 2021, these players have shown remarkable resilience in continuing their cricket journey under extremely challenging circumstances. We have collaborated with ‘It’s Game On’ to create a program and set of experiences that we hope will be enjoyable and memorable for them.”
She added, “We are also thrilled that this team will participate in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final. It is cricket’s responsibility to stand by the values of inclusion and opportunity; we take pride in hosting this tour and helping these players deepen their connection to the sport.”
Last year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a special task force to assist displaced Afghan female cricketers, with support from the ECB, Cricket Australia, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). A fund was also established to provide direct financial assistance, although its long-term future remains uncertain.
Afghanistan remains a full member of the ICC, which requires national boards to field women’s teams. Despite the absence of a women’s team, the men’s team has retained its Test status. In April, FIFA approved the return of Afghanistan’s international women’s football team, a move celebrated as a significant success for displaced athletes.
Leave a Comment