Afghanistan Women National Cricket Team player Firooza Amiri is currently residing in Australia. She and her other team mates had to leave Afghanistan after the extremist group Taliban took over the country in 2021. In an exclusive interview Firooza shares her journey with The Australia Today’s Editor Pallavi Jain.
1) Tell us about your journey. When did you first pick up the bat and when did you decide to pursue cricket professionally?
I first picked up a cricket bat at the age of 15. Cricket had always been a part of my family’s life, especially with my older sister being a passionate fan. She was always watching the game, and I often wondered what made it so popular. The moment I held a bat in my hands, I immediately fell in love with the sport. From that moment, cricket became a central part of my life. By the time I was 17, I was fortunate enough to receive a national team contract, and from then on, I was committed to pursuing it professionally.
2) How challenging was it to pursue your dream, and how did you overcome the obstacles?
Cricket in Afghanistan is traditionally a male-dominated sport, and there were very few women playing. However, seeing that other countries had both men’s and women’s teams inspired me to represent my country. My journey was filled with challenges, as it is never easy for women to play cricket in Afghanistan. Despite the difficulties, my motivation remained strong: I wanted to represent my country on the international stage and show the world that Afghan women have the ability to compete at the highest levels, given the opportunity.
3) What happened after the Taliban’s takeover, and when did you move to Australia? What has your experience been like, and have you received support to continue playing cricket?
When the Taliban took over Afghanistan, I was living in Herat, and the entire country was in a state of fear. We were uncertain whether the Taliban would seize control at any moment, but we held onto a small hope that Afghanistan wouldn’t fall. Unfortunately, when Herat fell, my family and I moved to Kabul. During our time there, we faced many challenges, including constantly relocating to avoid detection by the Taliban. After 30 days in Kabul, we were granted visas to Australia. The most challenging part of the journey was traveling through Taliban-controlled checkpoints to reach Pakistan, but we managed to make it through. Once we arrived in Pakistan, we stayed for a few weeks before finally reaching Australia.
In terms of support, we’ve received incredible assistance from Australia, especially from four amazing women—Emma Staples, Mel Jones, Catherine Ordway, and Olivia Thorton—who played a key role in securing our visas. Since arriving, they’ve provided continuous support, and in terms of cricket, Cricket Australia playes a huge role of leadership in ensuring that we have the resources and opportunities to continue playing and really grateful for everything they have done.
4) The Afghan women’s team has appealed to the ICC to set up a refugee team. Has there been any progress on that front?
Since arriving in Australia, we’ve sent several letters to the ICC, but unfortunately, we’ve yet to receive a response. The ICC, as one of the largest governing bodies in cricket, seems to be overlooking the fact that Afghanistan is the only full member nation without a women’s team. This is due to the current political situation, but despite these challenges, we continue to play cricket as a team here in Australia, and we remain hopeful for change.
5) What do you think the ICC can do at this stage to support the Afghan women’s team?
The situation for Afghan women and girls is dire, and we need more support than ever. We urge the ICC to stop remaining silent on issues of gender apartheid and equality in Afghanistan. This is the moment for the governing body to take a stand. We are asking the ICC to recognize us either as a national team or as a refugee team, so we can represent our country. We seek the same level of funding and support that the men’s team receives.
6) While there were calls to boycott Afghanistan’s men’s team, you have stated that boycotting the men’s team is not the solution. Could you elaborate on your perspective?
Boycotting the men’s team would not directly impact our situation. Our focus is on finding a solution for our team, not creating more problems. Countries like Australia and the UK have the influence and power to engage with the ICC and work toward a solution for us. It’s the ICC’s responsibility to ensure we have equal opportunities, just as other teams do.
7) You recently played an exhibition match in Melbourne on 30th January as part of an Afghanistan XI. How did it feel to step onto the field again?
Playing for Afghanistan and representing my country has always been my dream. That exhibition match was historic for us, and it brought a wave of emotions—pride, joy, and even a bit of nostalgia. To represent Afghanistan for the first time in this way was truly special. The support we received from the Australian community and my friends, who came out to cheer for us with Afghan flags, made the experience unforgettable. It was a powerful moment for Afghan women, and we stood united, showing the world what we stand for.
8) The Afghanistan men’s team has received a lot of support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the years, with many players participating in the IPL. Has the women’s team received any support from the BCCI, and is there anything they can do to help?
Unfortunately, we have not received any support from the BCCI. However, the BCCI is one of the most influential and powerful cricket boards globally, and we would love to see them extend their support to the women’s team as well. If the BCCI can provide opportunities for the men’s team, we hope they will consider doing the same for the women, offering us a platform like the WIPL to showcase our talent.
9) What is the source of your and your team’s strength? How do you remain positive despite going through such adversities, and what do you look forward to in the future?
The ongoing struggles of women and girls in Afghanistan are a constant source of motivation for us. We have the privilege and platform to raise our voices for gender equality. We are here to represent our nation and fight for our rights, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be able to speak out on behalf of those who can’t. After our exhibition match on 30th January, we launched a fundraising platform called “Pitch Our Future” to garner global support. We hope people from around the world will donate and help us continue our mission to fight for gender equality. Every contribution helps us give a voice to girls not just in Afghanistan, but worldwide, so that every girl can have the right to pick up a bat and ball and pursue the sport she loves. Every donation is an investment in a brighter, more equal future for women in sport.
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