Cricket Australia (CA) Chief Executive Nick Hockley has hailed an upcoming exhibition match in Melbourne as a significant milestone for the Afghanistan Women's XI, a team composed of refugees now living in Australia. The team will face Cricket Without Borders XI in a T20 match at Junction Oval, scheduled for Thursday morning, just before the Women's Ashes Test opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

This match marks the first time the Afghanistan Women’s team has come together since fleeing Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover. Currently divided between Canberra and Melbourne, this event represents a crucial step in their cricketing journey and serves as a symbol of hope. At a press conference, Hockley expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing that the match is a first step towards greater opportunities for Afghan women cricketers.

Afghanistan Women's XI will be captained by Nahida Sapan, a player who also represents a Melbourne club, while Firooza Amiri, an advocate for Afghan women in cricket, is another key player. Amiri shared her excitement about the team reuniting for the first time after years of adversity. The match not only represents a chance to play cricket but also a larger symbol of empowerment for Afghan women and girls who are denied such opportunities back home.

The Afghanistan Women's team faces significant challenges, including language barriers and adjusting to life in a new country. Despite these difficulties, Hockley praised the players’ resilience and passion for the sport. He expressed hope that this match would spark awareness and create lasting support for the team, as well as raise global conversations about the struggles faced by women in many parts of the world who are denied access to sports.

Sapan and Amiri both voiced their hopes that the match would open doors for Afghan women in sports and education, expressing a desire for more opportunities to play together as a team in the future. The historic exhibition match is also a powerful reminder of the strength of women who continue to pursue their passion for cricket despite the hardships they’ve faced.