Wed Jan 29 10:42:16 UTC 2025: ## Afghan Women’s Cricket Team to Make Historic Return in Melbourne
**Melbourne, Australia –** The exiled Afghanistan women’s cricket team will play their first international match in over three years on January 30th, facing Cricket Without Borders XI at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. This historic exhibition match marks a significant moment for the team, who have been unable to play in their home country since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
The match holds deep significance, according to coach Chelsea Moscript, who highlighted the team’s resilience in the face of adversity, having fled Afghanistan and sought refuge in Australia. “These girls have gone through so much,” Moscript stated, emphasizing the emotional weight of the opportunity. “For them to get an opportunity to go out there and play together as a team is something I know they’re also excited about.”
Cricket Without Borders (CWOB), known for its commitment to empowering women in sport, was selected by Cricket Australia as the perfect opponent. CWOB founder Clare Cannon expressed the honor of playing the Afghan team, hoping the match is “the beginning of a long journey” for the women’s XI.
The match comes amidst ongoing concerns about the treatment of women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. While the Afghanistan men’s team continues to compete internationally – a situation criticized by many given the ICC’s requirement for full member nations to have women’s teams – the women’s team’s perseverance highlights their determination to represent their country. Recent calls for boycotts of Afghanistan’s men’s team have further underscored the international community’s unease. This exhibition match offers a powerful counterpoint, showcasing the Afghan women’s unwavering spirit and dedication to the sport.
First Piper 