Afghan Women Cricketers Reunite For First Game Since Fleeing Taliban

Afghanistan’s women cricketers have played their first game since fleeing their country after the Taliban’s takeover three years ago, coming together for a charity match in Australia that captain Nahida Sapan hoped would prompt “a movement for change.” More than 20 members of the Afghanistan national team have been in Australia since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, because female participation in sport in the country has effectively been outlawed. But they are now hoping to send a message of hope and positivity to their country.

A movement for change

Team captain Nahida Sapan said she hoped the match would spark “a movement for change.” "Together, we’re building not just a team, we’re building a movement for change and promise," captain Sapan said in the run-up to the game. “We have big hopes for this match because this match can open doors for Afghan women, for education, sport and in the future.", she added. “We are going to represent millions of Afghan women who are in Afghanistan and denied their rights. It’s very special for all of us to get back together after three years, after leaving everything and losing everything back home in Afghanistan,” she further said.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board made a significant stride in November 2020 when it handed 25 promising women cricketers professional contracts. However, before the squad had a chance to play together, the Taliban captured Kabul and declared an end to women’s cricket. Due to human rights concerns, Australia has recently boycotted several non-tournament matches against Afghanistan’s men’s team. One of the team members was threatened by the Taliban after the fall of Kabul with being killed "if [she tried] to play cricket again".

Out of the 25 women who were once contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board, 22 now live in the Australian cities of Melbourne and Canberra. Some of them have asked the International Cricket Council to recognise a refugee team. “A profound sadness remains that we, as women, cannot represent our country like the male cricketers,” some players wrote in a joint letter last year.

Recent Taliban Oppression

The plight of Afghan women under the Taliban regime hasn't improved since 2021. Taliban has banned the entry of women in outer spaces, primary education, role of women in nursing among many others.