England is set to face Afghanistan in the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently received a letter from a group of British politicians urging them to boycott the match against Afghanistan.
ECB Chief Richard Gould has dismissed the calls for a boycott, stating that while the Taliban regime’s restrictions on women’s rights in Afghanistan are concerning, addressing the issue requires a collective response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) rather than unilateral action by a single nation.
England is scheduled to play Afghanistan on February 26 in Lahore. The letter, sent by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and signed by over 160 politicians, has increased pressure on the ECB to take a stand.
The letter raised concerns about Afghanistan’s restricted women’s rights under Taliban rule, including a ban on women’s sports, with Afghanistan’s men’s team playing England only twice in ICC events since 2021.
“We strongly urge the England men’s team players and officials to speak out against the horrific treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban. And We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan … to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated.”
“We must stand against sex apartheid and we implore the ECB to deliver a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked,” the letter read (as reported by ESPN Cricinfo).
Gould stated that ICC event participation is a collective decision, not up to individual members, but confirmed the ECB won’t play bilateral series with Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. 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,” the ECB chief stated.
“We will pursue all options for change”- ECB Chief
While England has declined to boycott the game against Afghanistan, the ECB chief stated that they respect and understand differing viewpoints on the issue.
“It’s crucial to recognise the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced from the country. The ECB is committed to finding a solution that upholds the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan while also considering the broader impact on the Afghan people,” Gould said.
“We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the UK government, other stakeholders, the ICC, and other international cricket boards to explore all possible avenues for meaningful change,” he said.
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