Afghanistan’s Refugee Women’s Cricket Team Attends World Cup Opener
The Afghanistan refugee women’s cricket team made a meaningful appearance at the opening match of the Women’s World Cup 2025, held at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The excitement kicked off with India facing off against Sri Lanka in this highly anticipated tournament.
In the spotlight during the match were players like Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, and Inoka Ranaweera, who delivered impressive performances. However, the presence of the Afghan refugee team caught attention, highlighting their journey as they navigate life in exile after fleeing the Taliban’s oppressive regime, which has restricted women’s rights, including their participation in sports.
A Secret Visit
The details surrounding the Afghan players’ trip to the World Cup were kept under wraps, with no official announcement from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to protect them from potential backlash from the Afghan government. Their attendance marked a significant step towards including them in the global cricket community.
The ICC has pledged to provide key growth opportunities for the Afghan refugee team during the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, as well as the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England. This initiative, announced during the ICC’s annual conference in July, aims to support female athletes who have had to leave their homeland since the Taliban took control in 2021 and barred women from participating in sports.
Support and Training Opportunities
Led by ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, this initiative works alongside the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA). Under this program, the players will have the chance to engage in training camps and compete with domestic teams while in India.
Many of the Afghan players currently reside in Australia, while others live in the UK and Canada. Unfortunately, some were unable to join the squad in India due to visa challenges.
This gathering at the World Cup symbolizes hope and resilience, reminding us of the importance of sports in uniting people from all walks of life.
