The Afghan Refugee Women’s Team will start their tour on June 22, incorporating training opportunities and T20 matches, hosted by the ECB with support from the MCC and MCC Foundation and sports consultancy It’s Game On.

In November 2020, the Afghanistan Cricket Board held a women’s cricket trial in Kabul and agreed to contract 25 women’s players. But, nine months later, the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan meant women and girls were banned from most areas of public life, including sport.

The majority of the cricketers now live in Australia and while their efforts to be recognised by the ICC as the Afghanistan Womens’ team while in exile have so far failed, they have played as an Afghanistan Women’s XI against a Cricket Without Borders side during the 2025 Women’s Ashes in Australia.

Despite their displacement, a number of the players have remained committed to playing cricket and this latest trip will give them a chance to compete together as a team while raising awareness of their plight.

“These players have shown extraordinary courage and commitment to the game, despite everything that has been taken from them,” Jones said. “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.”

“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.”