Nahida Sapan: Afghan Women’s Future Hinges on Thursday’s Match
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Synopsis
On January 27, Nahida Sapan, captain of Afghanistan's T20 team, expressed that the upcoming match against Cricket Without Borders could significantly impact Afghan women’s futures, advocating for increased ICC support for the exiled team.
Key Takeaways
- Nahida Sapan emphasizes the importance of the upcoming match for Afghan women.
- The women's team was evacuated following the Taliban takeover in 2021.
- The match is seen as a platform for change and hope.
- Firoza Amiri highlights the significance of representing Afghan women.
- The team is eager for more matches and support.
New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) Nahida Sapan, who will lead Afghanistan in their T20 match against Cricket Without Borders, is optimistic that Thursday's game at the Junction Oval can pave the way for women in her country across various fields. She has urged the ICC to provide greater support to the exiled team.
Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, the entire women's cricket team, along with their families, was evacuated and has since settled in multiple Australian cities, including Melbourne and Canberra. Since their relocation, Nahida has been actively participating in club cricket for Carnegie in Melbourne.
"This is incredibly significant for us, particularly for Afghan women, as this marks a momentous occasion. When we take the field, we play not just for ourselves but for Afghanistan. This victory symbolizes progress for Afghan women, as we are collectively creating not just a team but a catalyst for change. It holds great importance for us.
“We harbor great aspirations for this match, as it has the potential to unlock opportunities for Afghan women in education, sports, and their futures. We do not wish for this to be our inaugural and final match. We aspire for more games and additional support," Nahida expressed to reporters on Monday.
Firoza Amiri, a player for Dandenong in Victorian Premier Cricket, who has been an advocate for the future of female cricketers in Afghanistan, shared her enthusiasm about playing with the entire team for the first time.
"We are set to represent millions of Afghan women who remain in Afghanistan and are deprived of their rights. It is also a profound experience for all of us to reunite after three years, having left everything behind and lost so much back home in Afghanistan.
“This match is going to be incredibly thrilling for all of us. We've had a couple of training camps together, but this will mark our first official game. We are aiming for a victory," she added.
