A group of more than 160 politicians in the United Kingdom (UK) have urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott the team’s 2025 Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan, scheduled to take place in Lahore on 26 February.

The
ECB has been accused of being “misogynistic” for letting their team take on Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy at a time when Afghan women have been treated unfairly under the Taliban regime. When Taliban recaptured Kabul in 2021, the Afghanistan women’s cricket team was disbanded and as per the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) regulations, member nations must support both men’s and women’s teams.

However, Afghanistan, who were awarded full membership in 2017,
continue to play international cricket through their men’s team and this has forced Labour Party MP Tonia Antoniazzi to write a letter to ECB chief executive Richard Gould. A cross-party group from the House of Commons and the House of Lords has signed the letter.

UK politicians urge ECB to boycott Afghanistan match

“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,” the letter said.

The ECB has been asked to provide a “firm message of solidarity”.

“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.”

ECB CEO Richard Gould said that while the board condemns the treatment of women and girls under the Taliban regime, he suggested a uniform approach from all member nations. “The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” said Gould.

“The ICC Constitution mandates that all member nations are committed to the growth and development of women’s cricket instead of the ECB taking a decision alone. “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,” he added.

Afghanistan will be competing in their maiden Champions Trophy after they finished the 2023 ODI World Cup in sixth place. Last year, Afghanistan had reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, where they lost to South Africa.