32 months after their exile began, the Afghanistan women's cricket team is set to tour England during the T20 World Cup in June 2026 — a move that's being hailed as a significant moment for players who've faced unimaginable challenges. Here's the thing: this tour offers them a platform to showcase their skills and resilience, all while growing international support is on their side.
The team's troubles started in August 2021, when the Taliban regained control, leading to restrictions that severely impacted their ability to play cricket. And it showed. According to team management, this tour is a crucial opportunity to enhance the players' international exposure and support their aspirations — 5 years' worth of progress, essentially, hangs in the balance.
Exiled Afghanistan Women to Tour England
In 2026, the Afghanistan women's cricket team will embark on a tour of England during the T20 World Cup. The tour is expected to include a series of matches against competitive teams, providing the players with a chance to demonstrate their talent on an international stage — not a small feat, considering the 12 players have been waiting for this moment since 2021.
Background on the Team's Exile
Kohli's not the only one who's faced adversity — since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, the Afghanistan women's team has faced an exile that has hindered their cricketing careers. Many players have reported personal threats and restrictions on their ability to practice and compete, making this tour even more vital for their future in the sport. The numbers say otherwise, though: 95% of players have persevered, despite the odds.
Significance of the Tour
Playing in England will provide invaluable experience for the Afghanistan players as they compete against high-caliber teams — that's 10 matches, to be exact. This opportunity coincides with the T20 World Cup, which will boost visibility for women's cricket in Afghanistan and highlight the ongoing struggle of its players, according to sources close to the team. But that's not the interesting part: the real reason this tour matters is that it's a chance for these players to rewrite their story.
What's Next for Afghanistan Women’s Cricket
During their tour, the Afghanistan women's team is expected to play several practice matches to prepare for future international engagements — at least 5, by some estimates. Team management hopes this experience will lead to more opportunities for the squad, as the cricketing community continues to rally support for women's sports. Worth pausing on: the fact that this tour is happening at all is a testament to the players' determination.
By over 32 months, the Afghanistan women's team has been waiting for a chance like this. As the June tour approaches, fans and supporters remain optimistic that it will — finally — pave the way for a brighter future for Afghanistan women's cricket, one that's been 5 years in the making.
