ECB Decision on Afghanistan Match: England to Play Despite Boycott Calls

On Thursday, the England Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the England team will the match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy. This comes despite some people calling for a boycott because of the Taliban government's restrictions on women's rights.

In the last month, the British lawmakers asked the England team to skip the group-stage match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy, Which is scheduled for February 26 in Lahore. The South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie also backed the idea of Boycatting the match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy.

In 2020, the Afghanistan team had 25 contracted women cricketers to play cricket for their nation, but the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Then most of the Afghanistan women players were now living in Australia.

ECB Stands Firm on Afghanistan Match Amid Boycott Calls

However, the England Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Thompson said England would play the match after discussions with the government, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the players. He also mentioned that cricket alone cannot solve Afghanistan's issues. 

ALSO READ: Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium Set for CT After Delays

R Thompson ECB chairman said, " while we have also heard that for many ordinary Afghans, watching their cricket team is one of the few remaining sources of enjoyment. As such, we can confirm that we will play this fixture." pic.twitter.com/FPWe4ZYKP8

— ACB Xtra (@acb_190) February 6, 2025

Richard Thompson said, "We remain of the view that a coordinated international response by the cricketing community is the appropriate way forward and will achieve more than any unilateral action by the ECB in boycotting this match," 

"We have also heard that for many ordinary Afghans, watching their cricket team is one of the few remaining sources of enjoyment. As such, we can confirm that we will play this fixture."

The Taliban claim to respect women's rights based on their Islamic laws, calling it an internal matter. Last week, Afghanistan’s exiled women cricketers became the first to receive support from a new refugee fund by the Marylebone Cricket Club. ECB chair Richard Thompson also confirmed a £100,000 ($124,350) donation.

ECB chair said, "We will continue to press the ICC to take further action, including ringfencing a meaningful portion of funding to support female players from Afghanistan to be able to access cricket." 

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Set for T20I Captaincy Comeback as Suryakumar Yadav Struggles: Reports