Afghanistan Women cricket team eyes historic match in Melbourne as Beacon of Hope

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-01-27 11:52:32 |

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Losing everything and leaving their home behind, playing this match together is a big step

New Delhi, Jan 27: The Afghanistan women’s cricket team, exiled since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, is set to make history on Thursday when they take on Cricket Without Borders at Melbourne’s Junction Oval.

The match, hailed as a significant step forward for Afghan women, is being led by team captain Nahida Sapan, who believes it symbolizes hope, progress, and the potential for change in her home country.  

“This match is very special for us, especially for Afghan women. It’s a historic moment,” Nahida told reporters on Monday.

“When we step on the field, we represent Afghanistan and all the women who have been denied opportunities. This is not just about cricket; it’s about education, sport, and a brighter future for Afghan women," she said.

Since fleeing Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover, the team members, along with their families, have been resettled in Australian cities such as Melbourne and Canberra.

Nahida, now a player for Carnegie Cricket Club in Melbourne, sees this game as a platform to push for greater support from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for Afghanistan’s female cricketers.  

“We don’t want this to be our first and last match. We want more matches and more support,” she said.  

Firoza Amiri, another team member who plays for Dandenong in Victorian Premier Cricket, expressed her excitement about reuniting with her teammates for the first time in three years.  

“We are representing millions of Afghan women who remain in Afghanistan, denied their rights,” Firoza said. “This is a very emotional and special moment for all of us," she said .

She said that after losing everything and leaving their home behind, playing this match together is a big step.

"We are aiming for a win, and we hope it opens doors for more opportunities," she said.