Afghan women’s refugee cricket team to tour England in landmark moment

The Afghanistan Refugee women’s cricket team will tour England next month, marking a milestone in their five-year effort to resume playing after being barred from sport by the Taliban.

The squad includes players who were contracted to the Afghanistan Cricket Board before leaving the country following the Taliban’s return to power, the England and Wales Cricket Board said Thursday in announcing the tour. The players were “systematically excluded from sport and public life” by the Taliban, the ECB said.

The tour begins June 22 and features Twenty20 matches, training sessions, and the chance to attend the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s on July 5.

The ECB said the tour “carries significant cultural and sporting importance.”

“This tour represents not only an opportunity for them to compete as a team,” the ECB said, “but a moment for cricket in this country to stand for inclusion and the protection of women’s participation in sport.”

Most of the Afghan players resettled in Australia, where they have played domestic cricket but remained barred from the international game despite International Cricket Council rules requiring test-playing nations to support both men’s and women’s national teams.

The women have repeatedly asked the ICC to recognize them as a refugee team and enable their participation.

Their reintegration has been supported by “It’s Game On,” a consultancy co-founded by former Australia international Mel Jones.

“These players have shown extraordinary courage and commitment to the game, despite everything that has been taken from them,” Jones said in the ECB statement.

“They deserve more opportunities like this; they deserve to be recognized as part of the global cricket community.”

Jones called for “sustained and meaningful action beyond this year.”

Clare Connor, ECB deputy chief executive, said cricket has “a responsibility to stand for inclusion and opportunity.”

“We are proud to be hosting this tour,” Connor said, “and supporting the players in deepening their connection to the game.”