The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has responded to growing calls for action against Afghanistan’s cricket team, with some urging the England men’s team to boycott their upcoming Champions Trophy match.
England is scheduled to play Afghanistan in Lahore on 26 February, but UK politicians are pushing for the match to be boycotted as a protest against the Taliban regime’s crackdown on women’s rights.
Political Pressure to Boycott
A letter addressed to the ECB, led by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and signed by figures like Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn, and Lord Kinnock, calls for England to refuse to play. The letter urges the ECB to send a “clear signal” that “such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated.”
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, women’s participation in sports, including cricket, has been effectively banned. Many Afghan female players have fled the country for their safety.
ICC Regulations on Women’s Cricket
The International Cricket Council (ICC) requires full-member nations to support women’s cricket, but Afghanistan’s men’s team continues to compete in major tournaments without sanctions.
ECB’s Response
ECB chief executive Richard Gould emphasized the need for a unified, ICC-wide approach to address the issue:
“A coordinated approach would be significantly more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members.”
While the ECB avoids scheduling bilateral matches with Afghanistan, Gould did not confirm whether England would boycott the Champions Trophy fixture.
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Australia’s Stand vs ICC Tournaments
Australia has canceled several bilateral series against Afghanistan but faced them in ICC tournaments like the 2023 Cricket World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Gould acknowledged differing opinions on the matter, stating:
“Cricket is a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced from the country.”
The ECB is working with the UK government, other cricket boards, and the ICC to explore “all possible avenues for meaningful change.”
Women’s Cricket in Afghanistan
The Afghanistan women’s cricket team, established in 2010, was dealt a severe blow when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Although 25 female cricketers were under contract in 2020, most have since fled the country, with over 20 now living in Australia.
Upcoming Champions Trophy
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, featuring eight teams, will take place in Pakistan and Dubai from 19 February to 9 March. England, Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa are grouped together in Group B, while India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh make up Group A.