Afghanistan's women's refugee cricket team will embark on an England tour from 22 June, playing a series of T20 matches and training sessions. More than 20 ex‑players, exiled in Australia since the Taliban’s 2021 return, aim to showcase their talent ahead of the T20 World Cup final in England. They will also attend the World Cup final, gaining exposure and a chance to press for recognition.

The England and Wales Cricket Board called the tour “significant cultural and sporting importance,” while the ICC’s taskforce, backed by Cricket Australia and the BCCI, continues to fund displaced Afghan women cricketers. The squad’s first competitive outing came in Melbourne in January 2025, and they were in India during last year’s 50‑over World Cup. Funding remains uncertain, casting doubt on long‑term security.

The tour arrives as the ECB still refuses any bilateral men’s series with Afghanistan, a stance reinforced after politicians urged a boycott of a Champions Trophy match, labeling the regime “gender apartheid.” Afghan players like Shafiqa Khan now urge the ICC to follow FIFA’s precedent and allow the exiled side to represent Afghanistan officially.