Afghanistan women’s XI will play an exhibition match in Australia. It’ll be against a “Cricket Without Border XI” at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on 30th January 2025. This will be a T20 match.
This game will be on the same day as the first Day of the Women’s Ashes Day/Night Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The event will be part of the celebration of women’s cricket and inclusion.
This step by Cricket Australia (CA) fulfils the ambitions of the members of Afghanistan’s women’s team who now reside in Australia to play together.
This match will be organised after consultation with the Afghanistan women players based in Australia. They will take part in the match. Other stakeholders, including the Australian government, were also consulted before going ahead with the event.
This is a significant development as Cricket Australia cancelled a series against Afghanistan earlier this year. The reason being the restrictions on women and girls under the Taliban rule. Afghan super start Rashid Khan was very upset with this. He had said that he’ll think about playing in the Big Bash League (BBL).
This match will be a celebration of Afghanistan women’s team
This match is to celebrate the skill and resilience of the Afghanistan players. And to appreciate the efforts of those who have helped in their inclusion in the game in Australia.
Cricket Australia’s Chief Executive, Nick Hockley said, “Many people across cricket and the community have come together to provide support for members of the Afghanistan women’s team since their relocation to Australia and this match will be a celebration of that work”.
He further continued, “I’m delighted that their ambition to play together will be achieved in this exhibition match which will be a wonderful addition to the many events around the Day/Night Women’s Ashes Test”.
