The exhibition matches serve as a means of promoting cricket and drawing spectators to the game. At the Junction Oval in Melbourne, a special exhibition game is scheduled. Afghanistan Women’s XI, which includes Afghan refugees currently living in Australia, will represent Afghanistan in the match. They will have to contend with Borders XI-less cricket.
In the wake of the Taliban takeover, this will be the first reunion of the Afghanistan Women squad. This 20-over match is scheduled to take place on Thursday morning, and it will take place before the Women’s Ashes Day/Night Test.
During a press conference, Nick Hockley, the CEO of Cricket Australia, discussed the match and its significance for the Afghanistan Women’s team.
This, in my opinion, is a first step. ECB colleagues are attending the Women’s Ashes, and discussions are taking place to get support from both Australia and England. The first piece, in my opinion, is awareness. However, I believe that Thursday will be a really exciting day, and I hope that it sparks a lot of discussion, ends up becoming a yearly event, and eventually allows this squad to compete on the global scale as they desire,” Hockley said.
“I don’t think any of us can understand the struggles they’ve faced since relocating to a new nation in such trying times and without knowing the language. “Their perseverance and passion for the game inspire me, and I hope this game serves as a true source of hope and awareness,” he continued.
The athletes are proud to play for Afghanistan.
Aside from Hockley’s motivational remarks, cricket player Nahida Sapan spoke briefly on representing her country in the exhibition tournament and stated that this might lead to opportunities for all Afghan women in whichever subject they chose.
This is a really historic time for all Afghan women, so it’s extremely meaningful for us, especially for Afghan women. We have high hopes for this match because it might lead to opportunities for Afghan women in the future, in sports, and in school. We don’t want this to be the final game we play. We’d like to see more matches. “We’d like more help,” Sapan remarked.
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