The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly rejected calls to boycott England’s match against Afghanistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The match is scheduled for February 26, and the calls to cancel the fixture come amid ongoing concerns about the treatment of women in Afghanistan, which is currently governed by the Taliban.
Over 160 politicians have expressed their opposition to the match through a letter addressed to the ECB, urging the board to take a strong stance against the Taliban's policies, particularly regarding the rights of women and girls.
The letter, written by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, calls on the ECB to send a message of solidarity with Afghan women and girls by boycotting the match.
It argues that by playing against Afghanistan, England would implicitly endorse the regime’s actions, particularly the severe restrictions placed on women’s rights and freedoms.
The letter stresses the importance of standing up against what it describes as "sex apartheid" and asks the ECB to consider the impact of its decision, with the aim of highlighting the ongoing suffering faced by women and girls under the Taliban's rule.
The MPs argue that a boycott would send a clear signal that the world does not tolerate such abuses.
In response, Richard Gould, the Chief Executive of the ECB, reiterated the board's strong condemnation of the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
However, he indicated that the ECB does not support a unilateral boycott, suggesting that a coordinated response from all cricket-playing nations would have a much greater impact.
Gould stressed the importance of working through international bodies like the International Cricket Council (ICC), of which Afghanistan is a member.
Gould’s statement highlighted the ECB’s commitment to the growth and development of women’s cricket, a principle enshrined in the ICC's constitution.
He also noted that, due to the Taliban's stance on women’s rights, the ECB had already decided not to schedule any bilateral matches against Afghanistan.
Despite this, he expressed a desire for a more comprehensive approach, urging a collective response to address the issue effectively.
While acknowledging the concerns of those calling for the boycott, Gould pointed out that the ECB believes a united approach from all ICC member nations would carry more weight than individual actions.
He committed to continuing efforts to advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan, both within the ICC and through discussions with the UK government and other stakeholders in international cricket.
The decision to reject the boycott call is in line with the ECB’s previous position. The board has expressed its concern over Afghanistan’s policies regarding women’s sports participation since the Taliban regained control of the country in August 2021.
Under the current regime, female participation in sports has been effectively banned, a move that has drawn widespread international condemnation.
Other cricketing nations, such as Australia, have also taken a stand by withdrawing from several series against Afghanistan, citing the restrictions on women’s rights.
However, despite these actions, Australia played Afghanistan in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, suggesting that the situation remains complex for international sports bodies.
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