Afghanistan’s exiled women cricketers will travel to England next month for a special tour that will allow them to play together once again and bring attention to their ongoing struggles.
The Afghanistan Refugee Women’s Team will begin the tour on June 22, along with training camps and T20 matches arranged by the ECB with strong support from Marylebone Cricket Club, the MCC Foundation, and sports consultancy It’s Game On. The players will also attend the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s Cricket Ground as guests.
ECB Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women, Clare Connor, heaped praise on the players for continuing their cricket journey despite difficult circumstances.
“Since being displaced from Afghanistan in 2021, these players have shown extraordinary resilience in continuing their cricket journeys in incredibly challenging circumstances,” Connor said. “Cricket has a responsibility to stand for inclusion and opportunity, and we are proud to be hosting this tour and supporting the players in deepening their connection to the game.”
In 2020, the Afghanistan Cricket Board had selected 25 women players after holding trials in Kabul. When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women were banned from sports.
Most members of the team are now living in Australia. They also attended the 2025 Women’s Ashes and the Women’s ODI World Cup in India as spectators.
Former Australian pacer Mel Jones said the tour was a crucial moment for the players. “Cricket has a responsibility to stand for inclusion and opportunity, and we are proud to be hosting this tour and supporting the players in deepening their connection to the game,” Jones said.
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