Will England play against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy?
This question has arisen after top British politicians called for a boycott of the match and sent a letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Over 160 political figures in the UK have urged the ECB to take action in protest of the Taliban’s discriminatory treatment of women in Afghanistan. Among those supporting the boycott are Reform Party leader Nigel Farage and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
The Champions Trophy, featuring eight teams, will be held next month in Pakistan and the UAE. In Group B, England will face Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa. The match between England and Afghanistan is scheduled for February 26 in Lahore.
The letter to the ECB, written by Labour Party MP Tonia Antoniazzi and signed by members from various political parties, reads: “We call on the England men’s team players and officials to speak out against the horrendous treatment of women and girls under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. We also request that the ECB consider boycotting the match against Afghanistan to send a strong message against the Taliban’s cruelty.”
Richard Gould, CEO of the ECB, responded promptly, stating: “The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule. Afghanistan’s ban on women playing cricket has led the ECB to refrain from playing bilateral series with them. However, it would be more effective if the ICC, as a whole, takes collective action rather than individual countries protesting alone.”
The last time England and Afghanistan faced off in a One Day International was during the 2023 World Cup, where Afghanistan defeated England.
