Afghanistan’s women cricketers, like Nahida Sapan, continue to hold onto their dreams despite the challenges.

Sapan urged the ICC not to forget the girls in Afghanistan who aspire to become cricketers.

Inclusion in prestigious events like the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the establishment of new T20 leagues are just a couple of the measures taken to advance the women’s game, with more innovations on the horizon.

Why should anyone reintroduce Ellyse Perry? She stands as one of the most remarkable female cricketers in the history of the sport. Ellyse exhibits immense prowess with both the bat and the ball. Interestingly, her talents extend beyond cricket, as she has showcased her skills in football, even representing her team at the highest level in this sport.

As the youngest individual to ever represent Australia in cricket, she has undeniably become a legendary figure in the sport. At the age of 28, her achievements are nothing short of extraordinary. In the eight Test matches she has played, she maintains an astonishing batting average of 78. Furthermore, she has graced the field in 109 ODIs and 108 T20Is for Australia, boasting an average of 53.53 and 30.44 in these two formats, respectively. Perry’s contributions also extend to the bowling department, where she has claimed nearly 300 international wickets.

A prominent Australian cricketer initiated her professional career in 2007, and she remarkably debuted for her nation at the tender age of 16. In addition to representing Australia, Perry is also a key player for New South Wales in domestic cricket. Her Test debut took place in October 2008 when she faced off against the England women’s cricket team.

Smriti Mandhana skyrocketed to internet stardom and gained widespread popularity on social media from the moment she made her debut. She swiftly became known as the ‘national crush’ of India and has grown into one of the most integral members of the Indian cricket team. Notably, she was honored as the Best Women’s International Cricketer by the BCCI in 2018.

During the same year, the ICC recognized her remarkable talents by presenting her with the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for the best female cricketer of the year. Simultaneously, the international cricket governing body bestowed upon her the title of ODI Player of the Year. She etched her name in history by becoming one of the first Indian cricketers to secure a contract in the WBBL (Women’s Big Bash League) and achieving the distinction of being the maiden Indian player to participate in the Kia Super League.

Kainat Imtiaz, hailing from Pakistan, currently serves as the vice-captain of the Saif Saga Sports Club women’s cricket team. Demonstrating excellence from a young age, Kainat has distinguished herself as an all-rounder, excelling not only in sports but also in academics. Her journey into fast bowling began with an encounter with the legendary Indian fast bowler, Jhulan Goswami, back in 2005, who became her inspiration.

Kainat made her international debut in 2010, marking the commencement of a substantial career. Despite her considerable experience, her international appearances have been somewhat limited due to inconsistencies in her performance. Nonetheless, she was a pivotal member of the team that clinched gold at the 2010 Asian Games, showcasing her remarkable abilities.

Isobel Joyce, a former Irish cricketer, has made remarkable contributions to her nation. As a former all-rounder and the twin sister of Cecelia, she is not only known for her cricketing achievements but also admired for her striking appearance. Isobel had a highly successful career, particularly excelling in her bowling performances on the field.

However, her abilities extend to batting as well. Isobel possesses a composed mindset and a steady hand, qualities that have proven valuable to her team on numerous occasions. In addition to her on-field accomplishments, Isobel Joyce also had the honor of captaining the Ireland cricket team, earning numerous accolades during her playing days.

Suné Luus, hailing from South Africa, embarked on her international cricket journey in 2012. Notably, she shares an exclusive distinction with Heather Knight as the only second player to achieve a remarkable feat in women’s One Day Internationals (W-ODI) – scoring a half-century and claiming a five-wicket haul in a single match. Suné’s remarkable performance on the field extends to her joint-record for the most wickets taken in a calendar year, an impressive 37 wickets in 2016.

Recognizing her remarkable achievements, Suné Luus was named Women’s Cricketer of the Year at CSA’s (Cricket South Africa) prestigious annual awards ceremony in 2017. Her talent and dedication have led to her securing a central contract, making her one of the select few South African cricketers to earn this honor. Furthermore, Suné’s skills and abilities were also acknowledged on the international stage when she earned a place in the Brisbane Heat squad for the 2018-19 season. Her achievements and contributions to the sport have firmly established her as a notable figure in South African and international women’s cricket.

Cecelia Joyce, a former Irish cricketer, boasts an impressive international cricket career that includes 57 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 43 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). In 2018, she made the significant decision to retire from professional cricket. Cecelia’s cricketing journey began in 2001, and her enduring presence in the sport spans several years. Notably, she hails from a cricketing dynasty, with her twin sister Isobel Joyce also donning the Irish cricket jersey at the highest level.

Cecelia’s family has produced a lineage of accomplished cricketers, with three brothers, Dominick Joyce, Ed Joyce, and Gus Joyce, all contributing to the success of Ireland’s cricketing heritage. Ed Joyce, in particular, is esteemed as one of the finest cricketers ever to emerge from Ireland and has even represented England in international cricket.

During her illustrious career, Cecelia Joyce made significant contributions with the bat, accumulating 1172 runs in the 50-over format and an additional 659 runs in the shortest format of the game, T20Is. Her retirement marked the end of an era for Irish women’s cricket, leaving behind a legacy of talent and dedication to the sport.

Natalie Sciver, a talented English cricketer, has not only made her mark in the world of cricket but has also captured the hearts of numerous fans with her striking beauty. Born in Tokyo, Sciver is a regular feature in the England national cricket team and boasts significant experience in the sport. Her international career includes 64 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 65 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) where she has showcased her prowess, amassing nearly 3000 runs and claiming over 100 wickets across both formats.

Interestingly, cricket wasn’t Sciver’s first-choice sport during her formative years; she had a fondness for football and tennis. However, her remarkable performances in domestic cricket soon opened the doors to international cricket. Sciver is a genuine all-rounder, known for her versatility. With the ball, she poses as a skiddy and tricky customer for opponents, while with the bat, she possesses the ability to deliver powerful and long-range strikes, making her a valuable asset for the England team. Her multi-faceted skills have solidified her position as a key player in international women’s cricket.

Kathryn Cross has journeyed from being a dedicated, aspiring cricketer to becoming a pivotal member of the England national cricket team. Her path to success was paved with relentless determination. Notably, Cross achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first female cricketer to gain acceptance into the prestigious Lancashire Academy. Despite delivering consistent and commendable performances at the domestic level, the elusive opportunity to represent her country seemed out of reach, leading her to contemplate stepping away from the sport.

Cross’s ultimate breakthrough came in 2011 when she earned her place in the England squad. However, it wasn’t until two more years had passed that she finally stepped onto the field adorned in England colors. Amidst stiff competition within the ranks of pace

Sarah Taylor, a formidable opening batter in white-ball cricket and a representative of the England national team, is an impressive figure at the age of 30. Her accolades and accomplishments at a young age are truly noteworthy. In both 2012 and 2014, she earned the esteemed title of T20I Women’s Cricketer of the Year, showcasing her consistent excellence. Furthermore, her cricketing prowess reached its zenith in 2014 when she was honored with the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award.

Notably, Sarah Taylor scripted history in 2015 by becoming the first female cricketer to compete in men’s grade cricket in Australia. Her remarkable skills as a wicketkeeper were showcased while playing for Northern Districts. On the domestic cricket scene, she represents Sussex, further solidifying her reputation as a skilled and versatile cricketer. Her exceptional performances culminated in her inclusion in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year in 2017, underscoring her impact on the sport.

Beyond her cricketing accomplishments, Sarah enjoys a substantial following on Instagram, a testament to her widespread popularity and the inspiration she provides to aspiring cricketers and her countless fans.

For those closely following Indian Women’s cricket, Taniya Bhatia is a well-known name. Hailing from Punjab, this wicket-keeper batsman has not only impressed with her cricketing skills but also captured the hearts of numerous fans with her striking beauty. In 2018, her remarkable talent was recognized as she was named one of the Breakout Stars by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Taniya’s affinity for cricket runs deep in her family. Her father, Sanjay Bhatia, was a notable cricketer at the all-India University level, providing a strong cricketing foundation for her. During her formative years, she had the privilege of receiving training from none other than Yograj Singh, the father of Yuvraj Singh, and honed her skills under the guidance of RP Singh, further shaping her into the cricketer she is today. Taniya made her debut for the Indian national team in 2018 and has since remained a vital asset to the squad.

In the reply, openers Shamima Sultana and Shathi Rani provided a solid foundation, each contributing 13 runs. Despite some hiccups in the middle, Shorna Akter took charge and guided Bangladesh to its historic win. Small partnerships with Ritu Moni (seven) and Sultana Khatun (two not out) proved crucial in securing the bronze medal.

This victory will be etched in Bangladesh’s cricketing history as a moment of pride and triumph at the Hangzhou Games.