Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – A coalition of over 160 British MPs has urged England’s cricket team to boycott their ICC Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan next month, condemning the Taliban’s oppressive policies toward women.
In a strongly-worded letter led by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and signed by figures across the political spectrum, including Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn, the MPs highlighted the “insidious dystopia” unfolding under Taliban rule. The letter called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to take a stand.
“We urge the ECB to boycott the February 26 match to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses against women and girls will not be tolerated,” the letter stated.
Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban has severely curtailed women’s rights, barring them from education, employment, and sports. Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team was disbanded, and many players fled the country. These actions violate the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) mandate for member nations to support the growth of women’s cricket.
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould responded by advocating for an ICC-wide response. “Unilateral action by individual nations is less impactful than a coordinated approach,” he said, reiterating the ECB’s condemnation of the Taliban’s policies.
Australia has already boycotted three bilateral series against Afghanistan, citing human rights concerns. Cricket Australia’s chairman, Mike Baird, emphasized the moral stance: “We’ve taken a position and are proudly standing by it.”
Afghan cricket stars, including Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, have also criticized the Taliban’s restrictions. Rashid, Afghanistan’s T20 captain, recently called for a reversal of the ban on women’s medical education, highlighting the societal and professional void it creates.
Despite the political turmoil, Afghanistan’s cricket team has become a force to reckon with, defeating England in the 2023 ODI World Cup and eliminating Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals.
The upcoming Champions Trophy, hosted by Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9, sees Afghanistan placed in Group B alongside England, Australia, and South Africa. India’s matches will be held in Dubai due to their refusal to travel to Pakistan.
The pressure mounts on the ECB to decide whether to align with the growing calls for action or proceed as scheduled.
