England is set to face Afghanistan in a Group B match on Wednesday, February 26, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore as part of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. However, the fixture has drawn significant controversy due to Afghanistan’s governance under the Taliban regime. Its widespread criticism for violations of women’s rights.
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In light of these concerns, more than 150 British politicians have urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott the match against Afghanistan. The call for action reflects growing international pressure on the Taliban regime. England, Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa are all part of Group B in this marquee tournament.
The situation has added a layer of political tension to the cricketing event, as calls for a boycott intensify ahead of the much-anticipated clash. A major call to action has emerged from a cross-party group of more than 150 British politicians from the House of Commons and House of Lords—prominent figures, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
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They have joined calls urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott their ICC Men’s Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. And condemn the Taliban regime’s brutal treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the country’s women’s cricket team has been unable to play any matches.
Highlighting the regime’s oppressive stance on women’s participation in sports. Meanwhile, the Afghanistan men’s cricket team competes under ICC sanction. Responding to the widespread parliamentary concern, ECB CEO Richard Gould issued a strong statement, asserting. The ECB firmly denounces the Taliban regime’s treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
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The issue has sparked significant debate as the tournament approaches, with pressure mounting on the ECB to take a definitive stand. The ICC Structure directives all member nations to support the progress and development of women’s cricket. In adherence to this principle, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reiterated its stance of not scheduling bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan.
ECB CEO Richard Gould emphasized, that 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 synchronized, ICC-wide tactic would be meaningfully more impactful than independent actions by individual members.
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The debate comes against the backdrop of Afghanistan’s rising prominence in men’s cricket. Over recent years, the team has delivered outstanding performances, defeating England and Pakistan during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. And overwhelming Australia to reach the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Currently ranked eighth in the ICC Rankings, Afghanistan has qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE. Meanwhile, Peter Hain, a prominent figure in British politics, has called on South Africa to join England in protesting Afghanistan’s participation in the tournament.
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The issue has brought renewed focus to Afghanistan’s exclusion of women from sports under the Taliban regime. Drawing widespread criticism and demands for unified action from the international cricket community. Veteran anti-apartheid campaigner Peter Hain has been entitled on Cricket South Africa (CSA) to talk about the prohibition on women’s and girls’ cricket in Afghanistan.
In a letter obtained by The Guardian, Lord Hain urged CSA’s chief executive, Pholetsi Moseki. To bring the issue before the International Cricket Council (ICC) ahead of South Africa’s ICC Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. Scheduled for February 21 in Karachi in a powerful and evocative appeal. Hain draws a parallel between apartheid-era oppression and the Taliban’s suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan.
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“Lord Hain writes that having struggled long and hard for black and brown cricketers to represent their country like whites did exclusively for nearly a century. I hope that post-apartheid South African cricket will press for similar rights for all women in world cricket. Will South African cricket please raise the plight of Afghan women cricketers in the ICC and express firm solidarity with Afghan women and girls who wish to play?”
Hain, a prominent figure in campaigns against South African rugby and cricket tours during the 1970s. Highlighted the Taliban’s systematic exclusion of women from sports since their return to power in 2021. His letter is a call to action for CSA to champion gender equality in cricket and advocate for Afghan women’s rights at the international level.
Hain highlighted that this action directly violates the ICC’s regulations, which mandate all member Test nations to support and fund women’s cricket. Despite this, Afghanistan’s men’s cricket team continues to compete internationally, while the women’s team remains denied the same opportunity.
In his letter, Hain emphasized the need for international cricketing bodies to uphold. The principles of gender equality and hold Afghanistan accountable for failing to meet ICC requirements.
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“Hain says the Taliban have removed the most basic human rights and freedoms for women on a prolific scale. Women are denied access to schools and universities, have been barred from most forms of employment and have now been denied all healthcare. As they can no longer train as nurses or be treated by male medics,” he writes.
Afghanistan vs South Africa Tickets: ECB Faces Growing Calls to Boycott Afghanistan
Under the Taliban’s rule, women in Afghanistan endure harsh restrictions. They are prohibited from visiting beauty salons, stadiums, gyms, and parks. They cannot travel without a male chaperone and are banned from dancing, singing, or driving. Their faces are veiled from view, their voices silenced even in prayer.
Most recently, the Taliban have prohibited windows that would allow women to be seen inside their homes. Peter Hain’s letter urging action against Afghanistan’s treatment of women follows a call from nearly 200 politicians. Including Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn, and Lord Kinnock, for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott England’s ICC Champions Trophy competition against Afghanistan.
The ECB’s chief executive, Richard Gould, has pledged to explore all possible avenues for meaningful change. But warned that boycotting men’s cricket could inadvertently bolster the Taliban’s efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society. Tonia Antoniazzi MP, who co-authored the letter to the ECB, criticized this response as lacking any sort of backbone.
Tonia Antoniazzi questioned the broader implications of inaction, asking, “What about women? Where is the hope for the women? Where is the hope for women who want to play sports, go to school, or work? And Where is the hope for them?”
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