The journey of Afghanistan’s women cricketers is one of incredible courage and resistance. Their progress was shattered on August 15, 2021, when the Taliban regained control of the country. This marked a grim return to oppressive conditions, reminiscent of the Taliban’s earlier rule from 1996 to 2001 when women’s freedoms were severely restricted.

Although a brief window of progress followed the fall of the first Taliban regime, allowing women to enter the cricketing arena, those gains have been reversed. Speaking on their struggles, a former Afghanistan Female Cricketer Firooza Amiri stated:
“Cricket can break boundaries, so we want to keep hopes alive—we want to play and educate.”
Despite the challenges, Amiri is grateful for Cricket Australia’s support and critical of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) inaction.
The Rise and Fall of Afghanistan’s Women’s Cricket
In 2020, Afghanistan achieved a historic milestone by awarding central contracts to 25 women cricketers, a sign of the sport’s growing acceptance. However, the Taliban’s return to power forced the players to flee, many seeking refuge in Australia.
Amiri recalls the heartbreaking realities back home:
“It is heartbreaking for me. I have all my freedoms, but they can’t have their basic rights. Girls are growing up without education; they are forced to get married at 14. Women are living in horrible conditions. Afghanistan has gone back in time while the world celebrates equality.”
The ICC’s Inaction
Under ICC regulations, member nations must actively support women’s cricket. Yet, the ICC has failed to enforce this mandate in Afghanistan’s case. Amiri criticized the lack of support, stating:
“The ICC has never reached out to us. We are national players, but they’ve never helped. The ICC talks about equality, but there’s no equality to celebrate.”
Amiri’s criticism extends to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), which abruptly stopped payments and provided no support for the women cricketers. This silence has drawn international backlash, with organizations like the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) urging decisive action, including cutting Afghanistan’s funding until women’s cricket is reinstated.
Keeping the Flame Alive
Despite their struggles, Amiri and her teammates remain determined. After their request to represent Afghanistan as a refugee team was denied, they began preparing for an exhibition match against Cricket Without Borders XI, scheduled ahead of the Women’s Ashes Test in Melbourne on January 30.
Amiri believes every game they play is a symbol of hope:
“Every time we play, we are not just playing for ourselves but for millions of girls in Afghanistan. We want to ensure Afghan women are not forgotten.”
A Call for Change
The silence from Afghanistan’s men’s cricket team, ranked 8th in ODIs, has been particularly disheartening. Calls for solidarity from their male counterparts remain unanswered, adding to the challenges faced by the women’s team.
Amiri remains empathetic toward the men’s team:
“They tried so hard to get where they are today, with ICC’s support. We only wish for similar opportunities.”
A Hopeful Tomorrow
The Afghan women cricketers’ journey has been fraught with obstacles, but their determination remains unwavering. They dream of one day representing Afghanistan on the global stage, even as refugees. For Amiri and her teammates, cricket is not just a sport—it’s a statement of resilience, a beacon of hope for countless Afghan women, and a fight for the equality they deserve.
Their journey is far from over, but their courage ensures that the spirit of Afghan women’s cricket will never fade.