A group of British politicians has urged England to boycott their ICC Champions Trophy cricket match against Afghanistan next month, citing the need for cricket officials to take a stand against the Taliban's oppressive policies on women.
In a letter signed by over 160 MPs on Monday, the politicians called for England's players and officials to condemn the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
The letter, led by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and supported by a cross-party group including Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn, emphasized the "insidious dystopia" unfolding in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. “We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy Group stage on February 26 to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated,” the letter added.
Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban has systematically stripped women and girls of their rights, barring them from education, work, sports, and gyms while imposing strict dress codes and restrictions on movement. These actions violate the International Cricket Council's (ICC) rules, which mandate member nations to promote women's cricket.
The Afghanistan women's cricket team was disbanded following the Taliban's return to power, with many players fleeing the country.
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould, responding to the letter, condemned the Taliban's treatment of women but stressed the need for a unified approach within the ICC. “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.”
Australia has already refused to play bilateral series against Afghanistan on three occasions, citing the Taliban’s oppressive policies. Cricket Australia (CA) Chairman Mike Baird defended their stance, emphasizing pride in their decision to draw a clear line against human rights violations.
“We’ve taken a position, and we’re proudly standing up where we think we should,” Baird said. “There’s all types of lines you can draw. We’ve drawn a line.”
Prominent Afghan cricketers, including Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, have publicly criticized the Taliban's ban on women's access to medical education and training. Rashid, a global cricket icon and Afghanistan's T20 captain, voiced his support for Afghan women, emphasizing the need for professionals in critical fields like healthcare.
Afghanistan has made significant strides in white-ball cricket, currently ranked eighth in ODI standings. They defeated England during the 2023 Cricket World Cup and reached the T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals, eliminating Australia.
Afghanistan is placed in Group B alongside England, Australia, and South Africa for the upcoming Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9. Dubai will host India's matches due to their refusal to travel to Pakistan.
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