Exiled cricketers set to watch tournament opener and play exhibition matches against Indian domestic sides
A group of Afghanistan’s women cricketers, currently living in exile in Australia, are set to attend the Women’s World Cup opener at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati as part of efforts to reconnect them with the global game.
The players, who are not officially recognised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), will attend the match as spectators and are also expected to take part in a few fixtures against Indian domestic sides during their stay in India.
ACA president Taranga Gogoi confirmed the development, saying arrangements were being made for the players’ arrival while awaiting further guidance from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
The visit is believed to be part of a wider ICC-backed initiative aimed at supporting Afghanistan’s displaced women cricketers. Earlier this year, the ICC announced the formation of a dedicated task force to provide coaching, mentorship and financial assistance, with funding support from the BCCI, ECB and Cricket Australia.
Plans for the players’ India trip were reportedly finalised during the ICC’s annual conference in July. The original proposal included a training camp in Bengaluru, exhibition matches against Indian domestic teams and attendance at selected World Cup fixtures.
However, details around the visit have largely been kept confidential, with no formal announcement from the ICC. Reports suggest the cautious approach is linked to concerns over possible backlash from Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women, including bans on secondary education, university attendance and participation in public life. As a result, the ACB has been unable to officially field a women’s national team despite having contracted 25 players in 2020.
Most of the displaced players now reside in Australia, while others live in the United Kingdom and Canada. Some players reportedly faced visa difficulties for the India trip, though many were part of an exhibition game between an Afghanistan XI and Cricket Without Borders earlier this year.
