The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has rejected the British politicians’ call to boycott their bilateral fixture against Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Both teams are scheduled to lock horns on February 26 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
According to reports, ECB chief Richard Gould received a letter from Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, signed by a cross-party group of over 160 politicians. In particular, they pointed out Taliban-led regime’s oppression of women and girls in Afghanistan as the reason for them urging the ECB to refuse to play against the Asian side.
“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,” the letter said.
“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 continued.
However, Gould responded by saying that they are strongly against playing bilateral games against Afghanistan, but their decision to clash in ICC events will be dependent on the governing body.
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” Gould wrote. “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.”
“We acknowledge and respect the diverse perspectives on this global issue,” Gould added. “We understand the concerns raised by those who believe a boycott of men’s cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban’s efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society,” he added.
In his concluding statements, Richard Gould thinks Afghanistan is a cricket-loving nation and their Champions Trophy clash will bring the positivity and joy for the people.
“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.”
Australia have withdrawn from playing against Afghanistan thrice
After the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Cricket Australia (CA) have withdrawn from playing Afghanistan three times. However, they have played against them in the ODI and T20 World Cups.
CA’s stance is due to the Taliban’s suppression of women’s sports, as they haven’t been allowed to participate in the sport. As a result, several women cricketers have urged the ICC to form a refugee team.
The most recent cancellation was a T20 series, which was scheduled to be played in March 2024. They cited a deterioration in human rights for women and girls in Afghanistan as their chief reason behind the boycott.
Interestingly, Afghanistan secured a 27-run victory over Australia in 2024 T20 World Cup, which eventually helped them to seal the semi-final spot. Both nations are now slated to take on each other on February 28 in the Champions Trophy in Lahore.
