Key PointsFarhan Zakhail was the captain of Afghanistan’s squad for the 2020 Below-19 Cricket World Cup and arrived in Australia in September 2022. Farhan has utilized for an Australian everlasting visa and desires of enjoying for Australia. Ahmadullah Fazli was granted a humanitarian visa when the Taliban returned to energy in Afghanistan in August 2021.
Earlier than he arrived in Australia in 2022, Farhan Zakhail, 20, represented Afghanistan’s Below-16 and Below-19 cricket groups on the worldwide stage.
He admits that life “hadn’t been simple” after transferring nations however is now “trying up” due to the assist of Sydney membership Western Suburbs – who sponsored his visa utility – and the Afghan group.
Initially granted a short lived subclass 408 visa, Zakhail mentioned he was now making use of for everlasting residency with the assist of his membership.
“You realize, whenever you come right here [Australia] from one other nation, life is a bit troublesome,” he instructed SBS.
“Once I first got here, I didn’t have a lot data however after spending a while, I started to really feel like I used to be in my very own nation. I’ve seen quite a lot of Afghan folks and felt comfortable.
“The membership has supported me like a household and I by no means felt that I used to be in a unique nation and don’t know anybody. All the boys within the membership are pleasant and supportive.”
Dreaming of enjoying for Australia
Zakhail captained Afghanistan’s squad on the 2020 Below-19 Cricket World Cup.
By way of cricket, there are large variations between his homeland and Australia, he mentioned.
There have been extra amenities and high-quality cricket grounds out there in Australia, he defined, which he hopes will assist him advance his recreation.
“As a cricketer, I’m personally striving to carry out nicely wherever I’m, whether or not right here [in Australia] or once I was enjoying cricket in my homeland, Afghanistan,” he mentioned.
“First, I’ll attempt to carry out nicely for my [cricket] membership, then play for the state and carry out nicely, play in Huge Bash League after which will probably be my goal to play for Australia.”
Farhan Zakhail throughout the 2020 ICC Below-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. Credit score: Fb / Farhan Zakhail
He isn’t the one one with a dream to someday don the Saggy Inexperienced, the enduring cap worn by members of Australia’s cricket workforce.
Ahmadullah Fazli held aspirations of enjoying for Afghanistan earlier than the Taliban took management of the nation in 2021.
Because of the turmoil that engulfed the nation, he mentioned he had no alternative however to go away.
A quick bowler on the pitch, he at present performs for Charlestown Cricket Membership in Newcastle.
Over the previous practically two years he has been in Australia, he is damaged into the membership’s first-grade workforce.
“The membership could be very pleased with my efficiency (and) I additionally wish to progress and attain my objectives,” he instructed SBS.
“I’ve struggled and strived rather a lot. I’m giving 100 per cent effort to play within the Huge Bash League subsequent 12 months.
“I actually wish to play for Australia on the worldwide stage and will probably be an awesome achievement for me.”
Afghan cricketer, Ahmadullah Fazli. Credit score: Equipped
Fazli is the brother of a former Australian Defence Forces (ADF) interpreter in Afghanistan and was granted an Australian humanitarian visa when the Taliban took management of the nation in August 2021.
He mentioned that in his homeland, he was “dwelling in troublesome situations” and it was troublesome to make selections about his future.
However life in Australia has given him the starvation to take his cricketing aspirations additional.
“We’re very pleased with the Australian authorities, as they’ve supported and helped us and proceed to take action,” he mentioned.
“Presently, that is our place of residence. Like Afghanistan, we work arduous right here and don’t really feel like it’s a overseas nation.
“They [Australians] have handled us nicely and we’re not ungrateful. Australia has supported us and continues to take action, we’ll absolutely repay them when we’ve settled in.”
Afghan migration to Australia
Because the fall of Kabul (15 August 2021 to 31 December 2023), 16,008 everlasting humanitarian visas have been granted to Afghan nationals below the offshore Humanitarian Program.
Roughly, 48,800 offshore Humanitarian visa purposes, for over 220,800 Afghan nationals, have been lodged from 15 August 2021 to 31 December 2023.
This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Information.
