Afghan Women's Refugee Cricket Team Tours England

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-05-23

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that the Afghanistan women's refugee team will tour England starting June 22. This historic visit marks a huge milestone for players who fled their country in 2021. These cricketers once held contracts with the Afghanistan Cricket Board. But after the Taliban banned women from sports, everything changed. ### A Groundbreaking Tour for Exiled Athletes This isn't just a series of matches. It's a powerful statement about resilience and inclusion. During the tour, the team will play several Twenty20 (T20) games and take part in high-performance training sessions. A major highlight? They'll attend the ICC Women's T20 World Cup final at Lord's Cricket Ground on July 5 as special guests. The ECB is organizing this program with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the MCC Foundation. Sports consultancy firm "It's Game On," co-founded by former Australian cricketer Mel Jones, helped build the itinerary. This team has been through a lot. Since the Taliban's return to power five years ago, female athletes in Afghanistan have faced systematic exclusion from public life. Most of the national women's side resettled as refugees in Australia, mainly in Melbourne and Canberra. ### The Fight for Recognition Continues Here's the tough part: the team still lacks official recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Under current ICC rules, full members must have both a men's and a women's national team. The Afghanistan men's team keeps playing in global tournaments. But the women's team was effectively disbanded by the ACB. So this tour is about more than sport. It highlights the urgent need for inclusion in cricket worldwide. > "This tour is a massive cultural and sporting event," said Clare Connor, ECB deputy CEO. "It shows what cricket can do when we come together." ### From Kabul to a New Life Down Under The majority of the squad has been playing in Australian domestic competitions for the last few years. In early 2025, they formed a team called the "Afghan Women's XI" after their letters to the ICC went unanswered. Over in Australia, they use training facilities and educational opportunities through programs like Pitch Our Future. It's not easy, but they're making it work. ### Tour Schedule and World Cup Final Appearance Starting June 22, the players will play T20 matches against several English sides. These games give them a chance to show their ability on the international stage for the first time in years. Then comes the big moment: attending the Women's T20 World Cup final at Lord's on July 5. This appearance is symbolic. It places the exiled team at the heart of the global cricket community during its biggest event. ### The Global Refugee Cricket Fund The MCC has launched a Global Refugee Cricket Fund to help displaced cricketers. The fund aims to raise an initial $1.3 million (converted from £1 million at current rates). The ECB and other international boards are doing their bit to ensure the sport remains a force for good. It's a reminder that cricket can be more than just a game.