Afghanistan women's cricket: The refugee team who will not be silenced

Former Australia cricketer Mel Jones was one of three women who organised and funded ways for the Afghanistan women's cricket team to flee their country in 2021 .

Jones organised emergency humanitarian visas, money and safe passage for the players and their families.

Among the 19 players who made the terrifying journey to Australia was Firooza Amiri , who shook with fear every time her family were stopped in the car at eight check points they had to pass on the journey out of their home country.

Three and a half years later , the team stepped on to the field at the Junction Oval in Melbourne for an Afghanistan Women's XI.

Afghanistan had a women's cricket team in 2012 which folded shortly afterwards.

It was then relaunched in 2020 with 25 players being given contacts.

The team waited until 2022 and then wrote to the ICC to tell them they were living in Australia .

They asked to be allowed to form a refugee international team.

They say they have never received a response to that letter.

Afghanistan 's women's cricket team played a 20 -over exhibition match in Melbourne last month .