Melbourne, Jan. 27 -- Cricket Australia (CA) Chief Executive Nick Hockley has described the upcoming exhibition match featuring the Afghanistan Women's XI in Melbourne as a beacon of hope and a significant milestone in the team's journey back to international cricket.

The Afghanistan Women's XI, composed of refugees who now reside in Australia, will play a T20 match against a Cricket Without Borders XI at the Junction Oval on Thursday morning. The game precedes the opening day of the day-night Women's Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

This marks the first time the Afghanistan Women's team has reunited since fleeing their home country following the Taliban's takeover. The players are now divided between Canberra and Melbo...