England cricket board rejects calls to boycott Afghanistan at Champions Trophy: 'ICC-wide approach would be more impactful'

Amid growing calls for the England cricket team to boycott the match against Afghanistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has clarified that they are not going to take any radical steps at the moment. Apart from former Olympian and celebrity broadcaster Piers Morgan , Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi had recently urged the ECB to cancel the match against Afghanistan through a letter that was signed by a cross-party group of more than 160 politicians.

Antoniazzi wrote that the match should not be going ahead due to the “sex apartheid” in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, since its takeover in 2021, and ECB must not “overlook” the suffering of Afghan women and girls.

‘Coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be more impactful’

ECB CEO Richard Gould, however, feels that taking unilateral action from individual countries will not make an impact on the eroding rights of women in Afghanistan which needs a “co-ordinated, ICC-led, response”.

“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” ECB CEO Gould wrote. “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.

Also Read | Why ICC didn’t ban Afghan men’s team despite Taliban takeover

“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.”

England, just like Australia, have not been playing bilateral cricket with Afghanistan as a mark of protest but only engage in matches in ICC events.

England will be playing against Afghanistan on 26 February at Lahore in the Champions Trophy 2025.