The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that England’s men’s team will fulfil their Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan later this month, despite mounting political calls in the UK for a boycott.
The decision comes amid widespread condemnation of the Taliban’s treatment of women in Afghanistan, which ECB chairman Richard Thompson described as “gender apartheid” in a statement.
The fixture, scheduled for February 26 in Lahore, has been the subject of intense debate, with over 160 British politicians urging England to withdraw to protest the Taliban’s oppression of women.
However, after a board meeting on Thursday, the ECB argued that a “coordinated international response” would be more effective than unilateral action.
“The board recognises the different views on this issue and has listened carefully,” Thompson stated. “We have been in close contact with the UK Government, the ICC, our England Men’s players, and other stakeholders to discuss how best the ECB can support Afghan women cricketers who have fled their country.”
While acknowledging the challenges, Thompson emphasized that cricket remains a rare source of joy for many in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, reinforcing the board’s stance to proceed with the match.
The ECB’s decision to go ahead with the Champions Trophy fixture between England and Afghanistan comes as calls grow for the ICC to take stronger action against Afghanistan’s cricket board. Since the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan has been unable to field a women’s team, violating ICC membership requirements.
However, Afghanistan remains a full ICC member, receiving full ICC funding, sparking criticism from exiled Afghan female cricketers and human rights advocates.
As the Champions Trophy approaches, the debate over Afghanistan’s place in international cricket—and the role of sporting boycotts advocated by British politicians—shows no sign of fading.