England will face Afghanistan in their second group game of the 2025 Champions Trophy, but more than 160 politicians have called for a boycott over the Taliban’s outlawing of female sport
England cricket chiefs are resisting demands for the men’s team to boycott next month’s Champions Trophy match with Afghanistan.
The two countries are scheduled to meet in Lahore on 26 February in their second group game of the 50-over tournament. But a cross-party group including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, former Labour leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Lord Kinnock, and Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi have called for England to boycott the match.
In a letter, the group stated they want the ECB to “send a clear signal” that “grotesque abuses will not be tolerated”. Female part participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Many of Afghanistan’s female cricket players have also fled the country for their own safety. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) state full membership is conditional upon having women’s cricket teams and pathway structures in place, Afghanistan’s men’s team have been allowed to continue playing seemingly without any sanctions.
In total, more than 160 politicians signed the letter calling for a boycott. But ECB chief executive Richard Gould believes a single country boycotting would not be useful, instead he has insisted a wider approach is needed.
“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,” Gould told BBC Sport.
“We understand the concerns raised by those who believe that a boycott of men’s cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban’s efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society.
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“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.”
Gould did confirm though that the ECB will continue its policy of not scheduling bilateral matches against Afghanistan. Bilateral matches are organised by individual cricket boards, though the Champions Trophy is run by the ICC.
Gould also revealed that the ECB will engage with the UK government, other international boards and the ICC to “explore all possible avenues for meaningful change” but admitted there were “diverse perspectives” on the issue.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) welcomed the ECB’s approach. They confirmed they are in wider talks over the wider issue of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team.
“We are deeply concerned by the appalling erosion of women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan,” a DCMS spokesperson said. We welcome the fact that the ECB are making representations to the ICC on this wider issue and what support can be given.”
England will open their tournament against Australia in Lahore on February 22. They will then face Afghanistan before bringing the group stage to a close against South Africa in Karachi on March 1.
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