Murray Edwards to host Afghan Refugee Women's cricket team

Murray Edwards College is honoured to be hosting the Afghan Refugee Women’s cricket team during its historic England tour later this month.

The players, who are exiled from their home country thanks to its ban on women's sport, will take on the Cambridge University women’s team on Saturday 27 June 2026 at Fenner’s, the famed home of Cambridge cricket. 

They will also play a second T20 match against the UK Armed Forces Women’s team. Both matches are open to the public, with no charge. 

During their three-day stopover in the Cambridge, the women and their support staff will all stay in the College, where they will also enjoy a celebratory dinner after their fixtures.

The tour comes as the five year anniversary approaches of the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. Since fleeing Afghanistan in 2021, members of the team have rebuilt their lives in exile, with many now based in Australia, and continuing to play cricket for community and premier clubs while advocating for the right of Afghan women and girls to participate in sport. 

Their visit to the UK, supported by the England & Wales Cricket Board, is a testament to their resilience, determination and enduring connection to the game.

Dr Rachel Polonsky, Acting President of Murray Edwards, said: 'Murray Edwards College is honoured to be hosting the Afghan Refugee Women’s  cricket team during the players’ stay in Cambridge.

'As one of the two colleges for women at the University of Cambridge and indeed in the UK as a whole, we are proud to support women's free participation in sport at all levels, worldwide. We look forward not only to an exciting day of cricket but a wonderful opportunity for both the Cambridge students and Afghan players to meet and forge new bonds.'

The tour is being supported by Sir Laurie Bristow, President of Hughes Hall and the UK’s last ambassador to Afghanistan during the fall of the city in August 2021 and the subsequent evacuation. Sir Laurie said: 'The matches are a celebration of women's sport and a recognition of the resilience and achievements of the Afghan women cricketers, as well as providing an opportunity to welcome families, sports fans, university members and the local community to support the teams. This promises to be a memorable and uplifting occasion.' 

Touring Afghan player Shafiqa Khan told Australia's ABC Sport: 'We can represent Afghan women who live back home and be a voice for a million girls who are denied their basic rights and follow their passion.'

For more information and to book a free ticket, see: www.hughes.cam.ac.uk/about/events/twenty20-cricket/.

Fixture times

• 10:30am - Afghan Refugee Women’s Team v UK Armed Forces Women’s Team
• 3:00 pm - Cambridge University v Afghan Refugee Women’s Team