A Historic Tour Amid Adversity
In a powerful demonstration of resilience and the unifying power of sport, Afghanistan’s exiled women’s cricket team is set to embark on a landmark tour of England next month. This highly anticipated tour is not just an athletic endeavor; it is a profound statement of survival, hope, and an unwavering commitment to the game. The tour will culminate in a deeply symbolic moment as the players join the crowd at the T20 Women’s World Cup final at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, showcasing their enduring connection to the global cricketing family despite the immense challenges they face.
The Tour Schedule and Supporting Partners
The Afghan Refugee Women’s Team will officially begin their tour on June 22. The comprehensive itinerary is designed to provide the squad with elite training opportunities and competitive T20 matches. This initiative has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), with vital backing from the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the MCC Foundation, and the specialized sports consultancy It’s Game On. Together, these organizations are providing the platform, resources, and coaching necessary to help these athletes sharpen their skills and compete on an international stage once again.
The Dream Interrupted: From Kabul to Exile
To fully appreciate the significance of this tour, one must look back to November 2020. In what was a landmark moment for sports in the region, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) held its first-ever women’s cricket trials in Kabul. Following the trials, the board took the historic step of contracting 25 talented female players, signaling a bright and inclusive future for Afghan cricket. However, this dream was abruptly shattered just nine months later. In August 2021, the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, immediately enforcing sweeping restrictions that banned women and girls from most areas of public life, including participating in any form of sport. Forced to flee their homeland to preserve their safety and their right to play, the majority of these pioneering cricketers eventually found refuge in Australia, where they have had to rebuild their lives from scratch.
The Fight for Recognition and the Journey So Far
Since being displaced, the players have faced an uphill battle for official status. Their persistent efforts to be formally recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as an official Afghan team in exile have so far been unsuccessful. Despite this lack of formal recognition, their passion for the game has never wavered. Operating as the Afghanistan Refugee XI, they have continued to seek out opportunities to play. Most notably, they competed against a Cricket Without Borders side during the 2025 Women’s Ashes series in Australia. They also traveled to India last year, attending the 50-over Men’s World Cup as spectators, ensuring their presence remained felt on the global stage. This upcoming English tour represents the next major chapter in their journey, offering them a rare chance to unite, train, and play together as a cohesive unit while shining a spotlight on their ongoing plight.
Advocacy and the Call for Sustained Action
The driving force behind this tour includes prominent figures in global cricket who refuse to let these players be forgotten. Mel Jones, the former Australian international player and respected commentator, co-founded the sports consultancy It’s Game On alongside Emma Staples, Cricket Victoria’s Head of Diversity, and consultant Dr. Catherine Ordway. Jones views this tour as a critical milestone, but also as a sobering reminder of the systemic gaps in supporting displaced female athletes.
Jones emphasized the extraordinary courage of the players, stating that they have shown incredible commitment to the game despite having everything taken away from them. She noted that they deserve more opportunities and deserve to be recognized as an integral part of the global cricket community. While celebrating this moment, Jones also urged the cricketing world to look beyond temporary tours, calling for sustained and meaningful action to support these athletes in the long term.
A Commitment to Inclusion and Opportunity
The England and Wales Cricket Board has expressed immense pride in hosting the team. Clare Connor, the ECB Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women, spoke warmly of the players’ journey. Connor highlighted the extraordinary resilience the players have demonstrated since their displacement in 2021, continuing their cricketing journeys under incredibly challenging circumstances. She reiterated that the sport of cricket has a fundamental responsibility to stand for inclusion and opportunity. By hosting this tour, the ECB aims to help these players deepen their connection to the game they love and remind the world of the power of sport to heal and unite.
A Symbol of Hope for Displaced Athletes
As the Afghan Refugee Women’s Team prepares to step onto the grass in England, their journey serves as an inspiration to displaced and under-represented athletes worldwide. Though stripped of their flag and their homeland, their identity as cricketers remains completely intact. This tour is a testament to their unbreakable spirit and a call to action for the global sports community to ensure that no athlete is left behind due to political turmoil.
