'We never wanted to leave our country, we were forced to'

AFGHANISTAN CRICKET

'We never wanted to leave our country, we were forced to'

by Atif Azam • Last updated on

Firooza hopes that things improve Afghanistan women cricketers. [Image courtesy: Pitch Our Future] © Cricbuzz

Will there be a place for Afghanistan women cricketers on the world map? It's a very complex question, considering the present context as the 25 contracted cricketers of Afghanistan Cricket Board are living in exile ever since the Taliban took over. However, their dreams of representing their country are still alive. Their hopes got some respite after the ICC announced the formation of a dedicated task force to support displaced Afghan women cricketers. Firooza Amiri, who fled Afghanistan, spoke exclusively with Cricbuzz recently regarding their renewed hopes to play cricket again at the highest level.

Here are the excerpts:

How will the new initiative of the ICC's dedicated task force help Afghan women cricketers?

We are very happy that the ICC has formed a dedicated task force to support Afghan women cricketers. It is an important step forward. While we've only recently heard about the funding and are still waiting for details, we can't comment too much on the specifics. But we're hopeful.

What matters most to us is that the task force includes representatives from our group and from Pitch Our Future, so that the voices of the players are at the center of all decisions. We're incredibly grateful that the ICC has acknowledged our situation and we look forward to learning more about the assistance they plan to provide.

Our goal is simple: we want to improve as cricketers and play at the highest level. With the combined support of the ICC and Pitch Our Future, we are hopeful that we'll now receive the financial resources and coaching that we need to continue that journey.

We are also thankful to everyone who has supported us over the past few years-especially the Australian cricket community, who helped us resettle and gave us opportunities to keep playing the game we love.

Pitch Our Future has been with us from the beginning, and we truly hope the ICC will work closely with them going forward. We also thank all those who have already contributed to the funding.

Having international recognition and support means everything. It gives us the strength to keep going and to keep representing Afghan women everywhere. We hold that very close to our hearts.

What is the role of Pitch Our Future? How is it helping the Afghan women cricketers?

Pitch Our Future is the official platform of the Afghanistan Women's National Cricket Team in exile. It was launched to raise global awareness and support for us- both as athletes and as individuals rebuilding our lives through cricket and education. The website provides detailed information about each of the players, including our backgrounds, cricket journeys, and personal aspirations. It serves not only as a central hub for updates on the team, but also as a way for people around the world to connect with our story and contribute directly to our growth and development. Through Pitch Our Future, we've been able to raise funds for essential needs such as training, coaching, and access to facilities, equipment, and educational opportunities. The platform also plays a huge role in advocating for our recognition on the international stage, giving us a space to be seen, heard, and supported as professional athletes. We're truly grateful to the team behind Pitch Our Future and to everyone who has supported the initiative so far. Their belief in us keeps us going.

You played a game with Cricket without Borders on January 30 this year. How important was that for the Afghan women cricketers residing in Australia?

The match on January 30 was more than just a game, it was the beginning of a new chapter for us here in Australia. After three long years of uncertainty, pain, and silence, stepping back onto the field with my teammates, wearing the Afghan colours was incredibly emotional. It was a moment filled with pride, relief, and deep gratitude. That game was a powerful sign of resilience and hope, not just for us, but for every Afghan girl who continues to fight for her right to play, to learn and to be free back home. It reminded us all that our identity as Afghan cricketers is still alive, and that no matter where we are, we carry our country in our hearts. To be able to reunite with my teammates on the field was something we had dreamed about since we were forced to leave. That match symbolised that our journey isn't over and that together, we will keep pushing forward, not just for ourselves, but for every girl who has been silenced.

Do you feel you can compete in the LA Olympics?

At this stage, we haven't received any updates about participating in the LA Olympics, but if the opportunity comes, we're absolutely ready as a team to join and compete.

How disappointing has it been to be in exile?

Yes, it is deeply disappointing. We never wanted to leave our country, we were forced to. Being in exile means being away from our home, our families, and the place where our dreams began. But despite the pain, we continue to represent Afghanistan through our cricket and our courage. We've turned that disappointment into determination.

Can you tell us about your journey? Was it easy to take cricket as a profession in a country like Afghanistan?

My journey hasn't been easy. In Afghanistan, choosing cricket as a profession being a woman came with immense challenges, cultural restrictions, lack of support, and constant fear. We had to train in secret, often facing criticism and threats. But our love for the game kept us going. Cricket gave us purpose, identity, and strength. Even though the path was filled with obstacles, we believed in ourselves and in each other. That belief is what brought us here today and it's what still drives us forward, despite everything we've lost.

Among the 25 contracted cricketers, 19 are staying in Australia. Are you keeping in touch?

Yes, I'm in regular contact with all of my teammates who are in Australia. We support each other both on and off the field, and we're working together to rebuild our team and keep our cricket journey alive.

Do you feel the ACB is helpless to recognise you as they cannot go against the present Taliban government?

None of our players have been in contact with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), and since arriving in Australia, we haven't received any support from them. At this stage, we're unsure if they will support us in the future, especially given the current political situation in Afghanistan.

Are you playing in different leagues nowadays?

Yes, most of our players who are based in Melbourne play in the Victorian Premier Cricket League, and those in Canberra also compete in local premier leagues.

BCCI, ECB and CA will include a dedicated fund to support Afghan women cricketers. How would you like the fund to be distributed so that it helps you? Do you have any clear idea about that?

We are incredibly grateful for the support we've already received. Cricket Australia (CA) has taken a real leadership role. Since we arrived, they've provided us with the support we needed both for our cricket and for building our lives here in Australia.

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