Afghan women cricketers meet again after running away from the Taliban in the first game. Cricket news

Afghanistan’s women cricketers have played their first game since the Taliban’s acquisition three years ago, Captain Nahida Sapan, who came together for a charity match in Australia, hoped that “a movement for change” will be.

In August 2021, the Taliban escaped from hundreds of women athletes Afghanistan, as in August 2021 survived a hardcore stance, which essentially banned women’s sports and education.

Most of the national women’s cricket sides settled as refugees in Australia, where they joined for the first time on Thursday to play a charity match in Melbourne.

“Together, we are not only building a team, we are building a movement for change and promise,” Sapan said in the run-up for the game.

“We have high expectations for this match as this match can open doors for Afghan women in future education and sports.”

The Afghanistan Cricket Board made a significant progress in November 2020 when it handed over 25 promising women cricketers professional contracts.

But before the fleeing squad got a chance to play together, the Taliban captured the capital Kabul and announced the end of women’s cricket.

“The situation in Afghanistan is terrible. Women do not have their rights.

“I can live independently in Australia and live my life the way I want.

“But back home in Afghanistan … I can only say that it is very heartbreaking and it is very difficult to live in that situation.”

Diana Barakzai, who found the first women’s cricket program of Afghanistan about 20 years ago, said the match was a “amazing moment”.

“I am sure this is a big message to the world, that the world will do something for Afghan women,” she told the AFP news agency.

“Especially to open school doors, open work for women.”

Out of 25 women contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board, 22 are now in Australian cities of Melbourne and Canberra.

Some of these players have advocated the Governing International Cricket Council (ICC) to form a refugee team with any official situation.

Some players wrote in a joint letter last year, “A deep sadness is that we cannot represent our country as women, like male cricketers.”

“The construction of this team will allow all Afghan women who want to represent their country to come together under a banner.”

The ICC has so far ignored these calls.

Thursday’s game was played at Junction Oval in Melbourne, a storey ground where a young Shane Warne once reduced his business.

The Afghan side played an invitation dress, representing cricket without cricket, a charity that aims to attract young women into sports.

Governing body cricket Australia threw their weight behind the match, promising to “lawyer” for the Afghan women’s side at the highest level.

“I am proud of everyone in Australian cricket, who have worked to support the players since being in Australia,” Chief Executive Officer Nick Hokle said earlier this week.

Citing human rights concerns, Australia has boycotted a series of non-tournament fixtures against men from Afghanistan in recent years.