The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) faces mounting pressure to boycott the England men’s Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan, scheduled for 26th of February 2025, in Lahore.
This call for action stems from the Taliban regime’s oppressive policies, particularly its human rights violations against women in Afghanistan.
A letter urging the boycott, spearheaded by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and signed by over 160 UK politicians—including Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn—criticizes the Taliban’s ban on women’s cricket and highlights the plight of Afghan female players who were forced to flee after the Taliban took power in 2021.
Despite the ban on women’s cricket, the Afghanistan men’s team continues to participate in ICC tournaments without facing sanctions.
The letter calls for the UK to take a stand against gender-based oppression, with the Champions Trophy fixture serving as a potential platform for protest.
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould has responded diplomatically, stating that the board is working on a solution but has not expressed strong intent to boycott the match.
He emphasized that the ECB already refrains from scheduling bilateral matches against Afghanistan and suggested that an ICC-wide approach would be more effective.
Boycotting the match could impact England’s chances of earning crucial points in their bid for the Champions Trophy, especially after their recent loss to Afghanistan at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The decision places the ECB at the crossroads of cricket and conscience, with global attention fixed on their next move.
