More than 160 politicians have written to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) requesting they boycott the England vs. Afghanistan match at the Champions Trophy 2025 later this year. The reason behind the politicians of England’s men’s cricket team not competing against Afghanistan’s men’s cricket team is because of their government’s treatment of women and girls.
Politicians want ECB to boycott Afghanistan
“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. 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 statement from politicians read.
State of Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team
For the unaware, women haven’t been allowed to play sports in Afghanistan ever since the Taliban took control of the nation in 2021. Subsequently, Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team was disbanded, and more than 20 players had to run away from their nation to seek refuge in Australia. They have been trying to play international cricket, but it hasn’t been made possible for the past four years.
ACB helpless
The International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations require a full member nation to have a women’s cricket team. But that’s not the case with Afghanistan. They have been allowed to play Test matches and at ICC events, partly because there isn’t much that the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) can do to combat the Taliban’s policies.
Why ECB doesn’t boycott Afghanistan at ICC events
The ECB, like all cricket boards, has control over who they play bilateral cricket with. That’s why they haven’t hosted Afghanistan at home. However, that isn’t the case at ICC events. You simply can’t just decide how to play or not at an ICC event. If they wish to boycott Afghanistan at the ICC Champions Trophy, they’ll risk losing points, which would be their chance to win a trophy. For the exact same reasons, Cricket Australia (CA) also plays Afghanistan at ICC events but avoids them when it comes to bilateral cricket.
ECB’s response to politicians for ICC Champions Trophy boycott
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. 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.”
“We acknowledge and respect the diverse perspectives on this global issue. 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. 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,” ECB chief executive Richard Gould wrote in a statement.
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