Afghanistan refugee women's side set to tour England for T20 matches, set to get high-performance training

Published - 21 May 2026, 21:11 IST | Updated - 21 May 2026, 21:48 IST

In a significant development, the Afghanistan women's refugee team is all set to embark on a tour to the United Kingdom, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed. The tour is set to commence on June 22 and will also involve a few days of high-performance training opportunities for the dormant team in addition to some 20-over matches as well.

The tour has been arranged by the Marleybone Cricket Club (MCC), the Home of Cricket, and their affiliate MCC Foundation. The Afghan players, part of the tour, are also scheduled to be in attendance at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Final at the historic venue of the Lord's Cricket Ground in London, which will be held on July 05.

"Since being displaced from Afghanistan in 2021, these players have shown extraordinary resilience in continuing their cricket journeys in incredibly challenging circumstances," Clare Connor, ECB Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women, said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"We have worked with It's Game On to build an itinerary and a set of experiences that we hope will be enjoyable and memorable. We are also delighted that the squad will attend the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Cricket has a responsibility to stand for inclusion and opportunity, and we are proud to be hosting this tour and supporting the players in deepening their connection to the game," Connor added.

Mel Jones, the former Australian cricketer, has been active in getting the abandoned Afghanistan women's team to settle in the country after a Taliban ruling back home expelled women from being active in sports or any form of public life, for that matter. Through her sports consultancy firm, Jones has been vocal about taking initiatives for displaced female cricketers and women in other sports as well.

"This tour is a major step forward but also highlights how much work remains. 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 recognised as part of the global cricket community. Moments like this matter, but we need to see plans for sustained and meaningful action beyond this year," Jones said.