Afghanistan's women cricketers on Thursday played their first game since fleeing the Taliban three years ago, a charity match in Australia that captain Nahida Sapan hoped would spark "a movement for change".

Cricketer Firooza Amiri says her team will "represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights” when the side reunites after more than three years for an exhibition game in Austral

There is growing pressure on England to boycott February’s Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan, but for those living under Taliban rule cricket provides “a moment of peace in a lifetime of struggles”.

Afghanistan's female cricketers play an exhibition match at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, with the players hoping to "open doors" for women in the country.

Afghanistan female cricketers said Thursday's exhibition match in Australia will be a "historic moment" and that the team will "represent millions of women" back home denied their rights. The Afghan team reunites after more than three years for an exhibition game against a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne’s Junction Oval.

A Twenty20 cricket contest featuring a women’s team made up of refugees from Afghanistan who now live in Australia may “only” be an exhibition game, but it could be the beginning of something much more.