England and Wales Cricket Board has announced that it will host the Afghan refugee women’s cricket team this summer, describing the visit as a historic event in the world of sports. The program will begin in June 2027 and will provide an important opportunity for the team to train and prepare further.
According to the England and Wales Cricket Board, the sporting tour could create opportunities for the Afghan women’s refugee team to take part in professional training sessions and Twenty20 matches. Much of the program will be organized in cooperation with Marylebone Cricket Club and the Marylebone Foundation.
The players will also attend the final match of the 2026 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup at Lord’s Cricket Ground, a step that could help strengthen their connection with the global cricket community.
In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “This tour carries special cultural and sporting significance. Following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, women were excluded from sports and many social activities. As a result, several female players who had contracts with the Afghanistan Cricket Board were forced to leave the country.”
Most of these players later settled in Australia, where they have tried to rebuild their lives and sporting careers.
Despite their forced migration, the players have remained committed to cricket. This tour is not only an opportunity for them to return to competition as a team, but also reflects England cricket’s support for inclusion and women’s right to participate in sports.
The organization “It’s Game On,” founded by Mel Jones and Emma Staples, together with Dr. Catherine Ordway, played a major role in helping the players safely leave Afghanistan after the events of August 2021.
The organization is now working with international sports bodies to design and implement programs aimed at promoting equality, inclusion, and opportunities for migrant and underrepresented female athletes.
Clare Connor, Deputy Chief Executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board and head of women’s cricket, said: “We are delighted that the team will also attend the final of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. Cricket has a responsibility to support inclusion and opportunity, and we are proud to host this tour.”
Mel Jones also said: “This tour is an important step forward, but it also shows that much more work remains to be done. Despite all the hardships, these players have shown extraordinary courage and commitment to cricket, and they deserve greater opportunities and a rightful place in the global cricket community.”
Writer:Salima Aryaei
