More than three years after fleeing Afghanistan as the Taliban swept to power, a women's team of refugee cricketers will play an exhibition match in Melbourne on Thursday, hoping it will be a first step on the path to full internationals.

Afghanistan's women's cricket team played their first match in three years on 30 January, reuniting in Melbourne for a charity fixture after fleeing the Taliban's rule. Captain Nahida Sapan described the occasion as more than just a game, calling it "a movement for change."