Himish Falconer, the Deputy Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom, emphasized the necessity of standing against policies and restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan after meeting with the Afghan women’s cricket team of refugees.
Mr. Falconer shared images from this meeting on his X account, expressing his pleasure at reuniting with the Afghan women’s cricket team, their visit to the UK Parliament building, and witnessing their skills on the cricket field.
He further stressed that the enthusiasm and motivation of these players serve as a reminder that the international community must stand against the “horrific” treatment of women and girls by the current government in Afghanistan.
The published images show the Deputy Foreign Minister of the UK playing cricket with the Afghan women’s cricket team.
The Afghan refugee women’s cricket team has entered the UK at the invitation of the England and Wales Cricket Board to participate in exhibition matches. Members of this team also met with Charles III, the King of the United Kingdom, on July 24.
The British royal family stated after that meeting that women and girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of their right to sports and are facing extensive restrictions in education, employment, and public participation.
The Afghan women’s cricket team was established in 2010; however, after the return of the interim government to power, it lost its official status as a national team.
Most players from this team have left Afghanistan, and some are now living in Australia.
