The Afghan Refugee Women’s cricket team created a memorable chapter in the history of the sport after playing two T20 matches at the famous Fenner’s Cricket Ground in Cambridge. Competing as the Afghan Women’s XI, the team took the field in a landmark event that celebrated courage, resilience, and the growing role of women’s cricket around the world.
The historic tour was supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), and Cambridge Colleges, including Hughes Hall and Murray Edwards College. The matches represented much more than cricket, offering a powerful symbol of hope for Afghan women who have been denied the opportunity to play sport in their homeland.
Historic Women’s Cricket Match at Fenner’s
The Historic Women’s Cricket Match at Fenner’s featured a doubleheader on the same day.
In the morning, the Afghan Refugee Women’s Cricket Team faced the UK Armed Forces Women’s Team in the opening T20. Later in the afternoon, they returned to the field to play against the Cambridge University Women’s Team.
The fixtures marked one of the most significant moments in the team’s journey since leaving Afghanistan. Playing at one of England’s oldest cricket venues gave the occasion added significance, with players proudly representing Afghan women on an international stage.
The Fenner’s Cricket Match attracted attention not only because of the cricket but also because of the inspiring story behind the team.
Royal Recognition Before the Matches
Before arriving in Cambridge, members of the squad received a special invitation to Clarence House in London, where they met King Charles III.
During the visit, experienced player Shukria Noori presented the King with a cricket bat signed by every member of the squad. The gesture highlighted the international recognition the team has earned through its determination and commitment to keeping women’s cricket alive despite enormous challenges.
The meeting was a proud moment for the players and an important acknowledgment of their journey.
Playing for More Than Cricket
The tour came almost five years after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, when the Taliban banned women’s sport and dissolved the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s women’s programme.
Since then, many members of the Afghan Refugee Women’s Cricket Team have rebuilt their lives in countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Under the leadership of captain Nahida, the players continue to compete in club cricket while speaking out for the rights of Afghan women and girls to access education and sport.
Hughes Hall President Sir Laurie Bristow, who served as the United Kingdom’s final ambassador to Afghanistan during the 2021 evacuation, played a key role in helping organise the matches. He described the event as a celebration of resilience and women’s sport.
A Bright Future Ahead
The success of the Refugee Women’s Cricket tour has also been followed by encouraging news from the International Cricket Council.
During its Annual Conference in Edinburgh, the ICC approved a five year roadmap that will provide the Afghan refugee team with a structured high performance programme and coaching support. The long term plan aims to prepare the squad to compete in ICC qualification events by 2030.
With backing from the ECB, Cricket Australia, the BCCI, and other cricket bodies, the initiative offers genuine hope for the future. The historic day at Fenner’s was not only a celebration of cricket but also a powerful reminder that determination and passion can overcome even the greatest challenges.
