Afghanistan’s female cricketers reunite for match - After three years in exile due to Taliban ban

MELBOURNE, Australia:

Cricketer Firooza Amiri says her team will "represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights" when the side reunites after more than three years for an exhibition game in Australia on Thursday.

An Afghanistan Women's XI will play a Cricket Without Borders XI in the match at Melbourne's Junction Oval. It will bring together 21 female players who were formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) before the Taliban regime retook control in August 2021.

Since fleeing Afghanistan, the women cricketers, banned from playing in their home country, have been based in Canberra and Melbourne and playing for various club teams in local competitions.

Amiri and Nahida Sapan, who will captain the Afghanistan Women's XI, thanked the Australian government and Cricket Australia for their support in promoting women's sport.

"It's very special for all of us to get back together after three years, leaving everything and losing everything back home in Afghanistan and come together again," Amiri said this week.

Amiri was forced to flee her home country when the Taliban took control. She and her family first travelled to Pakistan and then were evacuated to Australia.

"I also want to express deepest gratitude for everyone who support us. Your support means the world to us," Sapan said. "Together we are building not just a team. We are building a movement for change and improvement.

"This is a very historic moment for all of Afghan women. This match can open doors for Afghan women for education, sport and our future."

Sapan told the BBC in 2023 that her family received death threats from government officials after the Taliban retook power. The threatening messages included: "If we find you, we will not let you live."

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley praised the resilience of the players. He said it was a powerful moment when they were presented with their team shirts for the exhibition match.

"To see their playing shirts for the first time with their names and numbers on the back, you can see how much it means to them," Hockley said. "I'm just inspired by their resilience, their love for the game."