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India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
From hostility to hope: Afghanistan women's cricket sees a new dawn
In 2021, dread and despair returned for women in Ashraf Ghani-led government, backed by the United States, collapsed after the Taliban seized control of Kabul. With their return came rules and restrictions that became a nightmare for Afghan women: They were barred from studying, playing sports, or participating in activities that could offer them freedom or influence. Among the casualties under the Taliban regime was 2010, just a year after the Afghan men's team gained ODI status, the women's team was formed - defying long-standing beliefs that the world of sports was no place for women in the country. By 2020, 25 Afghan women cricketers had been awarded professional contracts, sparking hope that they too could rise to global acclaim - just like Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and other male stars. But those dreams were shattered in 2021 with the Taliban's return to power. 19 of those contracted players were forced to flee their homeland and seek refuge in Australia. Among them was Firooza Amiri, who has since found a new beginning - living safely in Australia and continuing to pursue her passion by playing club cricket.'Yes, it's been heartbreaking. Ever since the Taliban took over, I knew things were going to change - especially for women, and even more so for women athletes. I could sense that the situation would become much worse for us,' Amiri told India Today Digital in an exclusive away from everything I had worked so hard for over so many years was incredibly painful. But at the same time, I felt anger - and determination. I knew I couldn't give up, even in the face of that reality. So I made the decision to keep going, even if it meant starting over in a new country. And I did.'A BIGGER MISSION Firooza Amiri hails from Herat, a city in western Afghanistan. Courtesy: Getty Images Amiri hails from Herat, a city in western Afghanistan renowned for its rich literary heritage and historic landmarks, including the iconic Herat Citadel. Beyond its cultural significance, Herat also plays a key role in the country's football scene and even hosted the 2024-25 season of the Afghanistan Champions League at the Herat Football Federation for Amiri, it was cricket - not football - that captured her heart, thanks to the influence of her sister. Once she picked up a bat, her curiosity quickly turned into a burning passion. Driven by the dream of wearing the national jersey and representing Afghanistan, she never looked back. Today, that dream has evolved - Amiri is determined to be a trailblazer and help revolutionise women's cricket in her grew up in Herat, in the western part of Afghanistan. It's a city rich in culture, art, and architecture. Cricket isn't very popular there, especially for women, but my journey with the sport began thanks to my older sister, who's also a player. At first, I picked up the bat out of curiosity, but from the moment I held it, cricket became my passion,' Amiri said.'Even though Afghanistan doesn't currently have a women's national cricket team, playing was never just about the game for me. It became a deeper mission - I've always wanted to be one of the first girls to represent Afghanistan in cricket. I truly believe that I can be one of the girls who helps change the narrative for women in sports in our country.'advertisementMANIFESTING GREATNESS IN ADVERSARY Firooza Amiri and 19 other Afghanistan cricketers took exile in Australia. Courtesy: AFP 'The philosophy of the Taliban goes against everything I believe in. While the rest of the world is moving forward - empowering women to lead and succeed - they want to control and suppress women in Afghanistan. I strongly believe that every society needs women in leadership roles,' Amiri said.'Afghan women are incredibly strong, and I have no doubt they can lead - not just in sports, but in every field - if they're given the opportunity. And we've already seen that: when Afghan women are given a chance, they rise.'While many countries around the world are championing women's empowerment and fostering female leadership, Afghanistan has moved in the opposite direction - finding new ways to suppress and control its women. What began as acts of open defiance gradually faded, as many women were forced into silence, practicing in private and out of sight from the Taliban.'In the beginning, when the Taliban took over, there was some resistance. People tried to hold on to hope. I'm not in touch with many now, but I do know that some girls are still playing - still practicing quietly, in private. They're holding on to their passion in under the Taliban regime, doing that is incredibly risky. It's dangerous. And yet, despite that, some of them continue - because it means that much to them,' Amiri GUARDIAN ANGEL The Afghan women's cricketers fled their home country in 2021. Courtesy: AFP For Amiri and other Afghan women cricketers, former Australian cricketer Mel Jones was a guardian angel. She played a crucial role in helping 120 individuals - including Amiri, her teammates Nahida Sapan and Benafsha Hashimi, and their families - by arranging humanitarian visas that enabled their journey came at a heavy emotional cost. To avoid detection, the players had to burn their beloved cricket jerseys - symbols of their passion and pride. They travelled in small, discreet groups, as the journey from Afghanistan to Australia was fraught with danger at every step.'If I could describe Mel, I'd say she's an incredible person - truly an inspiring advocate for women's rights in sport. She was one of the few amazing women who stepped up and supported us when we needed it most. Mel used her platform, her voice, and her connections to bring attention to what was happening in Afghanistan,' Amiri dedicated so much of her time and effort to helping us - from assisting us in escaping Afghanistan to helping us settle in Australia. Our journey - mine and the other girls' - was filled with fear and uncertainty. But knowing that someone like Mel, along with other incredible women in Australia, was standing beside us gave us the strength and hope to begin again in a completely new country.'THE HOME AWAY FROM HOME The Afghan women returned to playing back in January. Courtesy: AFP The year 2025 has been a landmark one for Afghan women cricketers. In January, they played their first competitive match - a T20 game between the Afghanistan Women's XI and Cricket Without Borders XI - at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. The historic fixture took place just before the Day-Night Women's Ashes Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, adding to its and Melbourne have become home for Amiri and many of her teammates. Reflecting on the moment, Amiri described the experience as a feeling of home. She emphasised how important the match was - not just as a game, but as a statement. For these women, once silenced in a war-stricken nation, the match was proof that they were not merely refugees- they were athletes, determined to show the world who they truly are.'The match we played on the 30th of January was more than just a game - it was more than just cricket. It was our first official match in Australia, and for many of us, it was the first time in years that we could play freely. The crowd was incredibly supportive - it truly felt like home,' Amiri said.'Since arriving in Australia, I've felt that this country has given me everything to help make it my second home. But when we stepped onto the field that day, it wasn't just a feeling - it was home. For many of us, the cricket ground has always been a place where we feel we belong. We often say, the ground is home - and on that day, it truly was.''That match reminded us of who we are. After three years, we were cricketers again. We were not just refugees, not just victims - we were athletes, representing Afghanistan from afar. And that meant everything. It made us incredibly proud, knowing that we were also representing millions of Afghan women just by stepping onto that pitch,' Amiri MESSAGE TO THE WORLD Australia don't play bilateral cricket with Afghanistan. Courtesy: AFP Cricket Australia has been a vocal supporter of the growth of Afghan women's cricket. In protest against the Taliban's continued suppression of women in Afghanistan, Australia has refrained from engaging in any bilateral cricket series with the Afghan men's team. However, the two sides continue to face each other in ICC-sanctioned events.'Cricket Australia has played a huge leadership role in our lives - from the moment we left Afghanistan and began rebuilding in Australia, they've been there for us. They gave us every opportunity we needed to keep playing and to start a new life here,' Amiri said.'We will never forget that Cricket Australia was the first board to speak out for us. They were also the first to take a stand by cancelling a match against Afghanistan, sending a powerful message to the world about what it means to stand for equality and support women in sport,' Amiri said.'Their support has meant everything to us - not just as players, but as women whose voices needed to be heard.'NEED FOR MORE HELPING HANDS Women in Afghanistan are barred from playing cricket. Courtesy: AFP Amiri is not in contact with any current or former Afghan male cricketers, primarily due to safety concerns for both the players and their families.'No, unfortunately, I'm not in direct contact with any of the players. From what I've heard, many of them can't speak publicly - mostly for their own safety and the safety of their families.'But I believe that many of them are aware of what's happening to Afghan women, and I believe they understand how strong and determined we are in the face of everything,' Amiri she believes that the Afghan men's team - given their global recognition - has the power to make a meaningful statement in support of the growth of Afghan women's cricket.'Yes, absolutely. I believe they have the platform and the audience - even a single strong statement from them can make a global impact. I've come to realise the power of that influence, and I've decided to use it - not just for us, but for the future of Afghan sport, and for all those who still don't have a voice,' Amiri GIANT LEAP The ICC has come forward to help Afghanistan women's cricket. Courtesy: AFP After remaining in the shadows for quite some time, Afghan women cricketers have finally found a lifeline through the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has partnered with Cricket Australia (CA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to provide essential funding and support for their development. The initiative is only restricted to the bunch of cricketers who are in exile at the moment.'We have only just heard about the ICC funding and are waiting for more details, so we can't fully comment on it yet. However, we are very grateful that the ICC has acknowledged our journey and formed a task force. We hope that this task force includes voices from our community,' Amiri said.'Our goal remains to keep improving and to play for Afghanistan at the highest level possible. With continued support from the ICC, Pitch Our Future, and the Australian cricket community, we believe this is achievable,' Amiri PERRY FANDOM AND EMOTIONAL GOODBYE Firooza Amiri is a big fan of Virat Kohli and Ellyse Perry. Courtesy: Getty Images Amiri is a huge fan of Virat Kohli, the world record holder for the most centuries in ODIs. Today, ODI cricket is the only international format in which Kohli continues to play. He retired from T20 Internationals after last year's Men's T20 World Cup, and earlier in May, he brought an end to his Test career - finishing as India's fourth-highest run-scorer in the format.'It was very emotional to see him announce his retirement from this format. It truly feels like the end of an era. But above all, I'm so grateful to have been part of a generation that had the chance to watch him play and learn so much from him,' Amiri female cricketers, Amiri looks up to the legendary Ellyse Perry, who is not only known for her remarkable achievements in cricket but also for her rare feat of representing Australia in both cricket and football. Perry played for the Australian football team in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and made her cricket debut at just 16. Since then, she hasn't looked back and continues to be a dominant force in women's sport.'There are many strong women who have changed the history of cricket in every country. Every cricketing nation has women who have made a lasting impact. But for me, Ellyse Perry has always been a huge inspiration.'I really admire her discipline and her calmness under pressure. She's not just an incredible player, but also a wonderful person - a great role model both on and off the field,' Amiri THE FIRE BURNING Afghanistan don't have a recognised women's team despite being ICC's full member. Courtesy: AFP Despite Afghanistan being a full member of the ICC, it remains a sobering reality that the country still lacks a recognised women's cricket team. However, with Cricket Australia stepping up and the ICC now extending its support, there is finally a glimmer of hope for the future of women's cricket in restrictions under the Taliban regime continue to stifle opportunities for female athletes, change is still possible. More voices like Firooza Amiri's are needed - people who are unafraid to speak out, challenge the status quo, and pave the way for a new will take brave individuals, determined to spark a revolution, to inspire young Afghan girls to pick up a bat - just like Amiri, Sapan, and so many others once did.
The Guardian
27-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘Getting worse and worse': former Afghanistan captain's anger at state of football in his country
When Zohib Islam Amiri came back to play in Afghanistan in January for the first time since 2010, he was hoping to make a difference. 'I wanted to try to give some of the young Afghan kids some inspiration,' he says. 'But as soon as I got there it was clear that things were even worse.' Amiri, who made his international debut as a 15-year-old in 2005 before serving as captain for more than a decade, became the first Afghanistan player to move overseas when he joined Mumbai in 2011. The defender's return to play for Abu Muslim in the Afghanistan Champions League – a competition set up in 2021 when the Taliban regained power – was never intended to be the end of his career. But having seen his side crowned champions after a controversial 8-0 victory amid allegations of match-fixing, Amiri decided enough was enough. The target of his anger is the president of the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), Mohammad Kargar. 'President Kargar is still putting all the money in his own pockets and not investing in the grassroots,' Amiri says by way of example. Kargar denies this but for Amiri there is no turning back. 'The motivation is not there,' he says. 'For the last 20 years I've had this hope that maybe we can change something for the next generation. But when you see every year it's getting worse and worse … my energy and power has gone, to be honest. I've given everything for the country and to see what has been happening to our football under Kargar's leadership is very sad.' Kargar, a former player and coach who was national champion in skiing as a teenager, took over as president of the AFF in January 2019 when his predecessor, Keramuudin Karim, was banned from football for life by Fifa after being accused of sexual abuse. Kargar has denied claims of fixing two matches during an international men's tournament in 2008 in Malaysia in his spell as Afghanistan coach and has been accused of corruption as president, including claims first made in the Guardian last year that the AFF had been misappropriating funds intended for investment in developing football in the country. He and the AFF deny the allegations. Twenty-one players went on strike for the World Cup qualifiers at the start of 2024 against Qatar and Kuwait that Afghanistan lost heavily under the English coach Ashley Westwood. He lasted only nine months despite recording a historic victory over India before drawing the return match with the Asian champions, Qatar. 'But then Kargar thought maybe it's a little risky to have an outsider involved and he decided to get rid of him,' says Amiri, who worked closely with Westwood and helped out with some of the coaching during the former Crewe and Sheffield Wednesday defender's spell. Amiri alleges that after last June's 0-0 draw against Qatar in Saudi Arabia – where Afghanistan have been playing since the AFF signed a deal last year for the country to host their home matches – the players were paid only a fraction of the bonuses promised six months earlier. 'Kargar came to tell all the players that they [the AFF] had $60,000 and we would get $500 each whenever the money comes through,' he says. 'The months went by and we didn't see any money so we asked what was happening. Kargar came up with lots of excuses about how it had been delayed. We played our game against Qatar and the next day he gave us $100 each. We could not believe it. For the last year when the other boys boycotted the team, then I realised what had been going on. Sometimes when you're a player, you don't know what is happening in the background. But when Ashley came in I started getting more involved with coaching and I was shocked to see what was going on.' There have been claims that some AFF staff have not been paid their salaries for the past three years, Fifa having been unable to provide its full allocation of funding from its Fifa Forward programme since 2023 owing to banking restrictions and the political situation under the Taliban. Kargar has insisted that the AFF remains independent, but sources inside Afghanistan believe the Taliban has taken a close interest in the federation's affairs over the past three years. 'No one in the AFF can move without order of the Taliban,' says one. 'They are involved in everything. Some of the provincial federation presidents have been suspended because they did not accept their orders.' Amiri says: 'Kargar is playing clever games. He sends emails to Fifa telling them not to hold new elections because it's not safe under the Taliban. But then on the other hand he is staying close to the Taliban to keep hold of his power. Fifa has to investigate.' Kargar has denied all allegations of corruption and said in a reply to a series of questions from the Guardian that 'individuals spreading these reports are pursuing their personal interests and are outside the country, unaware of the realities within Afghanistan'. He also said that the AFF has had 'no interference' from the Taliban. 'From the beginning, we have explained to the Taliban that the AFF is a non-governmental entity operating under the regulations of Fifa and AFC [the Asian Football Confederation],' he said. 'The Taliban has officially issued a letter stating that they support Afghanistan's football activities. This letter has also been shared with Fifa and AFC.' A Fifa spokesperson said: 'Fifa is continuing to monitor the situation very closely and remains in contact with the Afghan Football Federation and other stakeholders.' Amiri, having hung up his boots at 37, is completing his coaching qualifications in the United Arab Emirates as he begins the next stage of his career and has called for elections to decide whether Kargar should remain in power. 'As a former Afghanistan captain, I have to speak up about what is going on,' he says. 'We have to fix this. If I don't do this now then how can I look myself in the mirror when I'm older knowing that I didn't take action? I'm a servant of the country and I don't want to see someone destroying everything in our football. The other boys have tried but nothing has changed. All we can hope is that Fifa will listen to us and try to help. We have to have an election.'
The Guardian
18-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Afghan club disbands after alleging match-fixing in champions' 8-0 win
A club that missed out on winning Afghanistan's top division on goal difference has disbanded in protest at what it says is the national federation's failure to properly investigate allegations of match-fixing. Attack Energy were dissolved after Abu Muslim Farah were crowned champions for the first time in a competition set up in 2021 when the Taliban regained power. Attack Energy led the Afghanistan Champions League for most of the way and have raised questions about Abu Muslim's 8-0 victory against Adalat Farah in their sixth game of the 10-matchday season. Abu Muslim then drew with Attack Energy and won their remaining fixtures to take the title in January with a goal difference superior by three. It is understood Abu Muslim and Adalat are owned by the same person: Abdul Hamid Sharifi, a businessman based in the city of Farah, in the west of the country. Eight teams lodged complaints with the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) that the result had been fixed and demanded an investigation. Officials from Attack Energy, a club founded in 1947 and which competed in last season's Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge League after being crowned Afghan champions, also wrote to Fifa and the AFC to ask them to look into the claims. The AFF produced a report that concluded it was satisfied with the situation and allowed Abu Muslim's title to stand. The AFF's president, Mohammad Yousef Kargar, was accused of fixing two matches during an international men's tournament in 2008 in Malaysia. He denied those allegations. An Attack Energy statement said: 'We, at the management of Attack Energy Cultural Sports Club, have tried with all our might and hope to clarify these issues and have repeatedly called on the Afghanistan Football Federation to investigate and transparently pursue cases related to injustice and collusion. However, unfortunately, we did not receive any convincing response and no action was taken towards transparency and justice. 'This disregard for the legitimate demands saddened the hearts of all football and sports lovers. In such circumstances, it became impossible for our club to continue on its path, and the club's leadership, after extensive consultations and careful evaluation, was forced to make a painful decision: to dissolve the Attack Energy Cultural Sports Club.' It also said: 'What happened in the fourth season of the Afghan Football Champions League was bitter and unfortunate; facts that are clear and undeniable to everyone. We hope that these events will be a serious warning bell to reform and improve the country's football structure so that such sad days will not be repeated.' A Fifa spokesperson said they could not comment on 'allegations they may or may not have received, or whether investigations are under way into alleged cases'. It is understood that world football's governing body is unable to intervene when allegations of match-fixing are made in domestic competitions. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Kargar told the Guardian in a statement: 'If there is any complaint regarding this matter, the relevant committees, such as the judicial committee, referees committee, and match commissioner, will address it. Based on the investigations conducted, no match-fixing has taken place.' Sharifi did not respond to a request for comment.
