A set of politicians in the United Kingdom urged the England Cricket Board to abandon their match against Afghanistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 citing restrictions over women by the Taliban. In a letter signed by more than 160 lawmakers, the officials wanted the England players to speak out against the treatment of women in Afghanistan.
“We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy Group stage on February 26th to signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated,” the letter stated.
Women and girls have been barred from sports and gyms, a breach of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rules. The Afghanistan women’s team was also disbanded, with several members fleeing the country after 2021. England is scheduled to face Afghanistan in a group-stage match on Feb. 26 in Lahore, Pakistan.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould responded by calling for a uniform approach from all member nations towards Afghanistan’s participation in international cricket. “The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” Gould said.
“The ICC Constitution mandates that all member nations are committed to the growth and development of women’s cricket. In line with this commitment, the ECB has maintained its position of not scheduling any bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan.
“While there has not been a consensus on further international action within the ICC, the ECB will continue to actively advocate for such measures. A coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be significantly more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members.”
In January 2023, Australia postponed an ODI series against Afghanistan scheduled to be held in March due to similar issues. CA had then explained that the “decision followed the Taliban’s recent announcement regarding further restrictions on women and girls’ education and employment.”
“Following consultation with the Australian Government, CA previously postponed the ODI series against Afghanistan scheduled for March 2023 after a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls in Afghanistan, stating we would: ‘Continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country,’ CA said in its statement at the time.
(With agency inputs)
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