Will Afghanistan’s female cricket players have a spot on the global map? Given the current situation, where the 25 contracted cricket players of the Afghanistan Cricket Board have been living in exile since the Taliban gained power, it’s a very complicated topic. They still have aspirations to represent their nation, though. The ICC’s announcement of the creation of a special task group to assist displaced Afghan women cricket players gave them some hope. Firooza Amiri, who left Afghanistan, recently talked exclusively to Cricbuzz on their rekindled desire to compete at the top level of cricket once more.
Here are the excerpts:
How will Afghan women cricket players benefit from the new initiative of the ICC’s dedicated task force?
The ICC’s creation of a special task group to assist Afghan women cricket players makes us extremely delighted. It is a significant advancement. We are still awaiting information and have only recently learned of the grant, so we are unable to comment on the specifics at this time. However, we have hope.
To ensure that the players’ opinions are at the forefront of all decisions, we believe it is crucial that the task force comprises representatives from both our organization and Pitch Our Future. We are immensely appreciative that the ICC has recognized our predicament and want to find out more about the support they intend to offer.
Our objective is straightforward: we want to become better cricket players and compete at the greatest level. We are optimistic that we will now have the funding and guidance need to carry on that path with the combined assistance of the ICC and Pitch Our Future.
In particular, the Australian cricket community helped us relocate and provided us with opportunities to continue playing the game we love, so we are grateful to everyone who has supported us over the past few years.
Pitch We sincerely hope that the ICC will continue to collaborate closely with our future, which has been with us from the start. We would also like to thank everyone who has already helped with the financing.
Having support and recognition on a global scale is crucial. It provides us with the willpower to continue advocating for Afghan women around the world. That is really dear to our hearts.
What does Pitch Our Future do? How does it benefit the female cricket players from Afghanistan?
The official website of the exiled Afghanistan Women’s National Cricket Team is called Pitch Our Future. It was started to increase exposure and support for us on a global scale, both as athletes and as people trying to rebuild their lives via education and cricket. The website offers comprehensive details about each player, including our histories, cricketing experiences, and individual goals. People from all over the world may engage with our story and actively contribute to our growth and development, in addition to serving as a central location for team updates. We’ve been able to generate money through Pitch Our Future to cover vital expenses like coaching, training, and access to facilities, tools, and learning opportunities. By providing us with a venue to be seen, heard, and supported as professional athletes, the platform also significantly contributes to the cause of our international reputation. Our sincere gratitude goes out to the Pitch Our Future team and all those who have contributed to the campaign thus far. We persevere because of their faith in us.
On January 30 of this year, you participated in a Cricket without Borders game. For the Afghan women cricket players living in Australia, how significant was that?
More than just a game, the January 30 match marked the start of a new era for us in Australia. It was quite emotional to return on the pitch with my teammates and wear the Afghan colors after three long years of uncertainty, suffering, and quiet. It was a proud, relieved, and deeply appreciative moment. Not only for us, but also for all Afghan girls who are still fighting for their freedom to play, learn, and return home, that game was a potent symbol of resiliency and hope. For us in Australia, the match on January 30 was more than simply a game; it was the beginning of a new era. After three long years of silence, pain, and uncertainty, it was quite emotional to play again with my teammates and don the Afghan colors. It was a moment of great gratitude, relief, and pride. That game served as a powerful symbol of hope and resilience, not only for us but for all Afghan girls who continue to struggle for the right to play, learn, and return home.
Do you think you can participate in the Olympics in Los Angeles?
As of right now, we haven’t heard anything regarding competing in the LA Olympics, but as a team, we are fully prepared to do so if the chance arises.
How disappointing has living in exile been?
It is quite disappointing, indeed. We were compelled to leave our nation, even though we never wanted to. Being in exile entails being separated from our relatives, our home, and the starting point of our dreams. But in spite of the suffering, we still bravely and through our cricket represent Afghanistan. That disappointment has been transformed into resolve.
Could you describe your journey to us? Was it simple to pursue a career in cricket in a place like Afghanistan?
It has not been an easy trip for me. Being a woman and choosing to play cricket in Afghanistan presented several obstacles, including cultural norms, a lack of support, and ongoing terror. We had to train covertly, frequently in the face of threats and criticism. But we persisted because we loved the game. We gained power, identity, and purpose from cricket. Despite the many challenges along the way, we had faith in one another and in ourselves. Despite everything we’ve lost, that belief is what has led us to this point and continues to motivate us.
Nineteen of the twenty-five cricket players under contract are remaining in Australia. Are you staying in contact?
Yes, I communicate with all of my teammates in Australia on a frequent basis. In addition to helping one another on and off the field, we are collaborating to rebuild our team and continue our cricketing journey.
Do you think that because the ACB is powerless to overthrow the current Taliban administration, they are unable to recognize you?
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not contacted any of our players, and we have not received any assistance from them since coming to Australia. We are uncertain at this point if they will continue to support us, particularly in light of the political climate in Afghanistan.
Do you currently play in any other leagues?
Indeed, the majority of our Melbourne-based players participate in the Victorian Premier Cricket League, and our Canberra-based players also play in regional premier leagues.
A special fund will be established by the BCCI, ECB, and CA to aid Afghan women cricket players. In order to benefit you, how would you prefer the fund to be allocated? Do you have a firm understanding of that?
The help we have already gotten is greatly appreciated. A true leadership role has been assumed by Cricket Australia (CA). They have given us the assistance we have need since our arrival, both for our cricket and for the establishment of our life in Australia.
