The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has dismissed calls to withdraw from an upcoming Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan in response to the Taliban regime’s oppressive policies against women.
Over 160 politicians, including Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn, and Lord Kinnock, signed a letter spearheaded by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi.
The letter criticised the “insidious dystopia” in Afghanistan and urged the ECB to pull out of the 26 February fixture in Lahore.
Women in Afghanistan have been effectively barred from organised sports since the Taliban regained power in 2021, a violation of International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations.
The letter appealed to the ECB to send a strong message against these abuses, calling it “sex apartheid” and urging solidarity with Afghan women and girls.
Despite this, ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould stated that the organisation prefers collective action through the ICC rather than taking a unilateral stance.
“We strongly condemn the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls and have not arranged any bilateral matches against Afghanistan,” Gould said.
He emphasised the need for a unified ICC-wide approach, which he believes would be more impactful than individual boycotts.
“Cricket provides a vital source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced from their homeland. A boycott could inadvertently support the Taliban’s agenda to isolate Afghan society,” he added.
The ECB pledged to advocate for stronger international measures through the ICC and to collaborate with the UK government, international boards, and other stakeholders to seek meaningful change.
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport voiced concern over the “appalling erosion of women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan” but did not directly address the calls for a boycott.
This controversy highlights the delicate balance between taking a moral stand and preserving the positive impact of sport on a nation grappling with severe challenges.
