England to Boycott Afghanistan in Champions Trophy 2025? Here’s What We Know

Welsh Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott playing against Afghanistan in next month’s Champions Trophy affair, scheduled to be played in Lahore on February 26.

Advertisment

Notably, the letter was signed by Tonia and a group of more than 160 politicians, that was directed to ECB. It’s worth noting that this letter was signed to take a stand against the Taliban’s assault on women’s rights. 

Since the Taliban government surged back to power in 2021, it stopped female participation in all sports as well as secondary schools and universities. Interestingly, this move makes the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) not follow ICC’s rules.

While Afghanistan doesn’t have a women’s team in participating, men are still allowed to compete by the apex body. For the same reason, a strong letter from the parliament was directed towards the ECB.

Advertisment

Here’s what the letter read as posted by The Roar website:

“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. 

Advertisment

“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’s response:

ECB CEO Richard Gould was quick to respond to the letter.

“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” he said.

“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.”

ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to start on Wednesday, February 19 with Pakistan taking on New Zealand at National Stadium in Karachi. Afghanistan is scheduled to play against South Africa, England, and Australia in three group-stage encounters.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates. Visit Sky247 India today!