The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has strongly rejected calls to Boycott Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy following pressure from British politicians. Richard Gould, ECB’s chief executive, emphasized that addressing the Taliban regime’s oppressive treatment of women requires a unified response led by the International Cricket Council (ICC) rather than individual actions.
England will play Afghanistan on February 26 in Lahore during the Champions Trophy. There have been growing demands for taking a stance against the Taliban’s curbs on women’s rights, but Gould has claimed that the ECB’s task is to create collective action toward positive change and not through boycotts.
England Raises Voice to Boycott Afghanistan at Champions Trophy
Over 160 cross-party British politicians, who included Tonia Antoniazzi, Jeremy Corbyn, Lord Kinnock, and Nigel Farage, signed a letter urging the ECB to Boycott Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy. In it, Afghanistan’s “sex apartheid” was condemned as the Taliban outlawed women’s sports when they came to power in 2021.
Politicians have urged England’s cricketers and officials to voice their concern about the gruesome mistreatment of Afghan women and girls.
“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, addressed to Gould, continued.
“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.”
England’s history with such decisions includes their dilemma at the 2003 World Cup when players faced pressure to boycott a match against Zimbabwe led by Robert Mugabe. At that time, England forfeited points, impacting their tournament prospects.
Gould’s Response to ICC-Led Action
Gould reaffirmed that the ECB never wants to play bilateral cricket with Afghanistan during the time the Taliban is ruling the country. But he also stated that ICC’s events like the Champions Trophy are collectively decided by the governing body.
The ECB strongly condemns the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls, Gould clarified. He further added that the ICC constitution obliges all member countries to support the development of women’s cricket, which the ECB does.
He agreed that opinions are divided, even suggesting that boycotting men’s cricket would inadvertently help the Taliban agenda in further isolating Afghan society.
Cricket, Gould emphasized, is still a scarce source of hope and inspiration for many Afghans, including those who have been displaced from their homeland. The ECB will continue to balance the fight for women’s rights with the positive role cricket plays for Afghan citizens.
The board will engage with the UK government, international cricket bodies, and stakeholders to explore avenues for change while supporting the global cricket community. The letter reads:
“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,” he continued.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
As the Champions Trophy draws closer, the debate about whether to Boycott Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy brings up the intricacies of mixing sports with global human rights advocacy. While the ECB rejects unilateral boycotts, the organization continues pushing for coordinated efforts that would keep women’s rights in check and hold cricket a unifying force in Afghanistan.
Also, see:
Will Saim Ayub Play Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
