Afghan women’s refugee team on tour of England as part of an ECB initiative
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will host a refugee women’s team from Afghanistan on a tour starting on June 22, in a move aimed at supporting displaced Afghan cricketers and keeping them connected to the game.
Organized in partnership with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the MCC Foundation, the program will include T20 matches and high performance training sessions. The players will also take part in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at Lord’s on July 5.
The team consists of former Afghan women cricketers who were forced to leave the country after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. After the regime change, women in Afghanistan were effectively banned from sports and much of public life.
Many players later settled in Australia where they continued to play cricket. Earlier this year, Afghanistan’s women’s side faced a Cricket Without Borders XI at the Junction Oval ahead of the Women’s Ashes Test at the MCG, in a match streamed by Cricket Australia.
The ECB said the tour was intended to provide both competitive opportunities and a platform to highlight cricket’s commitment to inclusion.
“Since being displaced from Afghanistan in 2021, these players have shown extraordinary resilience in continuing their cricketing journeys under incredibly challenging circumstances,” said ECB Deputy General Manager and England Women’s Executive Director Clare Connor.
“We have worked with It’s Game On to create an itinerary and set of experiences that we hope will be enjoyable and memorable. We are also delighted that the team will be participating in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
“Cricket has a responsibility for inclusion and opportunity and we are proud to host this tour and support players in deepening their connection with the game.”
The relocation and continued support of the players has been made possible in part by It’s Game On, a global sports consultancy co-founded by former Australian cricketer Mel Jones, Emma Staples and Dr Catherine Orway. Jones played a major role in helping several players resettle in Australia after leaving Afghanistan.
“This tour is a big step forward, but it also highlights how much work remains,” Jones said.
“These players have shown extraordinary courage and commitment to the game, despite everything that has been taken from them. They deserve more opportunities like this; they deserve to be recognized as part of the global cricket community. Moments like this matter, but we need to see plans for sustainable and meaningful action beyond this year.”
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
21 May 2026 19:47 IST
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