Afghanistan's displaced women cricketers have begun their first international tour of England as they continue their campaign for formal recognition after years in exile.

Afghanistan's women's cricket team in exile is taking another step back onto the international stage with its first tour of England, where the Afghan Women's XI will play and train while pressing for a recognised place in the sport.

The squad is made up of players who left Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power and women were excluded from sport and much of public life. Many have since settled in Australia, keeping their cricket careers alive in exile while remaining outside Afghanistan's official cricket structure.

Recognition campaign gathers momentum

Reuters reported that the tour in cricket's birthplace coincides with ongoing discussions about the team's future status. The England and Wales Cricket Board has described the visit as an opportunity for the sport to support inclusion and protect women's participation.

The programme is expected to include T20 matches, training opportunities and attendance at the Women's T20 World Cup final at Lord's on 5 July.

Seeking a sustainable future

Supporters of the players say the next challenge is turning one-off fixtures into a sustainable pathway for international competition.

Read more:

• UN raises concern over Afghanistan's dress code crackdown
• UN warns Afghanistan's stability may not last without policy changes on women

The players have repeatedly sought a formal route back into international cricket, arguing that recognition as a refugee team would allow them to compete without requiring approval from authorities in Kabul.

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Afghanistan Women's sports Taliban England