AFGHANISTAN’S women cricketers returned to action today for the first time since being forced into exile in Australia.

The majority of the country’s top female players have been living Down Under since 2021, seeking refuge after the Taliban takeover.

An Afghanistan side captained by Nahida Sapan was hosted at Melbourne’s Junction Oval in a charity exhibition match against a Cricket Without Borders XI. Their blue shirts did not include a national flag.

They lost a 20-over contest, posting 103 after batting first and taking their defence all the way to the final over.

There have been growing calls for England’s men to boycott next month’s Champions Trophy clash against Afghanistan in response to the abolition of the women’s programme.

That runs contrary to International Cricket Council rules, though the Afghanistan men’s team are still allowed to take part in global tournaments.

A group of more than 160 politicians wrote a letter calling on Jos Buttler’s side to withdraw from their forthcoming match in Lahore by way of protest.

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould has said he is committed to honouring the fixture but condemned the situation in Afghanistan and said he is working with counterparts within the ICC on a co-ordinated response.