The journey of Afghanistan’s women cricketers from a life shadowed by fear to a future filled with hope in Australia is a powerful story of courage and love for the game.
When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the lives of Afghanistan women, already restricted, became even more perilous. For those with dreams of playing sports, especially cricket, the danger became life-threatening. 19 contracted players suddenly found themselves at risk, simply for daring to play.
Amid the growing fear, help came from an unexpected place. Former Australian cricketer Mel Jones, deeply moved by their situation, stepped in to make a difference. From her hotel room in Melbourne, she became an unofficial immigration officer, coordinating tirelessly with Australian government officials to secure humanitarian visas for the players, their coaches, and their families.
Thanks to the efforts of Jones and a small team of volunteers, the group escaped Afghanistan and began a new chapter in Australia. Here, they continue to play the game they love, now in safety and freedom.
In recognition of her extraordinary efforts to relocate and support the Afghanistan women’s cricket team, former Australian cricketer and current cricket broadcaster Mel Jones has been honoured with the prestigious 2025 Spirit of Cricket Award. The award was presented at Lord’s by MCC President Baron King of Lothbury during the lunch break of the ongoing Lord’s Test between England and India. It was a fitting moment to celebrate someone who has embodied the true spirit and humanity of the game.
While presenting the award, the MCC President, Baron King of Lothbury, said, “And I’m absolutely delighted to be able to present the 2025 Spirit of Cricket Award to Mel Jones, not just for her work on commentaries, where she’s truly outstanding, not merely for her work in supporting women’s cricket, but most significantly for the fact that she was fundamentally important in ensuring that the Afghanistan women’s team could relocate to Australia. So, it gives me great pleasure, Mel, to present you with the Spirit of Cricket Award 2025.”
Visibly moved, Mel Jones responded, “I don’t think I’ve cried for this entire time in which we’ve been involved with it all, but I just got a little bit teary then. I cannot thank you enough. But yeah, it means the world to me. But yeah, as we say in Australia, this will go straight to the pool room. Just compose yourself.”
Dr. Sarah Fane, Director of the MCC Foundation, was also present, and she praised Jones for her dedication. She said, “Mel, what you’ve done is extraordinary. Not just getting those women out, but what you’ve done is to give the Afghan women a voice for the future. They have very little hope within Afghanistan, but these women will bring hope for a long time to come.”
She acknowledged the efforts of the MCC and the MCC Foundation, stating, “I really appreciate all the work that the MCC and the MCC Foundation have done in supporting the whole process.”
On being asked how this all started, Mel Jones recalled, “So I was in quarantine in Sydney, wondering how I was going to fill my two weeks. And it very quickly turned around. So, we had the Afghanistan women’s football team brought out by a group of women in Australia to Australia before the airport had closed. And someone reached out and said, do you know the Afghan women’s cricket team? And I said I had no concept, not about them or any contact.
She further added, “And one thing led to another. The Australian government said, Look, we’ll give you humanitarian visas, but you’re probably going to get maybe one or two out. And then through the work of these two amazing friends, Emma and Catherine, we got 135 out, including the 19 contracted players and some females that work for the Afghan Cricket Board in terms of support staff, media managers, etc.”
When asked about what lies ahead for the Afghan women cricketers. She replied, “We just need our leaders to acknowledge the existence of this group and then set forward a plan for how they can continue to play cricket at the club level, at the state level, and get into leagues, but play as an Afghanistan women’s cricket team. That’s what they want. They want to play underneath their flag, in their colours, exactly like the men’s team, being allowed to continue to do so.”
The story of the Afghanistan Women’s Cricket Team is one of remarkable courage in the face of overwhelming adversity and a powerful testament to the healing force of sport. Despite the hardships they’ve endured, these women have found a way to reclaim their dreams and continue playing the game they love.
Mel Jones, alongside a dedicated group of volunteers, has been instrumental in helping make that possible. The recognition of her efforts through this award is not only a tribute to her commitment but also a positive and hopeful sign for the future of women’s cricket.
