Afghan Women Cricketers in Exile Appeal to ICC for Refugee Team

Seventeen Afghan women cricketers living in exile in Australia have appealed to the ICC to help establish a refugee cricket team. Disbanded after the Taliban takeover in 2021, the former national players hope to continue their passion for cricket and draw attention to the struggles faced by women athletes in Afghanistan.

Seventeen Afghan women cricketers, now exiled in Australia, have made a heartfelt appeal to the ICC to assist in forming a refugee cricket team. The players, who were displaced following the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, aspire to rekindle their careers and shine a spotlight on the harsh realities faced by female athletes in Afghanistan.

In their letter to the global governing body, the women lauded the Afghanistan men's team for their inaugural T20 World Cup semi-final appearance. However, they lamented their lack of opportunities due to the country's stringent policies against female participation in sports.

'Creating a refugee team can give us the chance to play and showcase our talent while drawing attention to the challenges women in Afghanistan face,' the players stated. They proposed that the team be managed through Cricket Australia's East Asian Cricket office, despite acknowledging the ICC's limitations in recognizing them officially.

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