A Match That Could Have Been Boycotted Is Now a Knockout
There were calls in England to boycott the match against Afghanistan, but in the end, no drastic decision was made. Now, that very match has turned into a survival battle for both teams.
The Champions Trophy could have had an empty day—no cricket on the field, just a scheduled fixture left unplayed—if the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had listened to British politicians’ requests. But now, the match isn’t just going ahead; it has become crucial for both England and Afghanistan. A win keeps semi-final hopes alive, a loss means elimination.
It’s only the second game for both teams, and they each lost their opening match. However, this fixture has unexpectedly turned into a knockout due to other results. On Tuesday, Australia and South Africa’s match in Rawalpindi was washed out, leaving both teams with one point each and taking their total to three. As a result, England vs Afghanistan has effectively become a do-or-die contest.
The high-stakes clash will take place in Lahore on Wednesday at 3 PM Bangladesh time.
Controversy Before the Match
This fixture had been a topic of debate long before the Champions Trophy even began. A group of British politicians urged the ECB to boycott the match in protest of Afghanistan’s restrictions on women’s education, the ban on women’s cricket, and alleged human rights violations. Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi sent a letter to the ECB, signed by 160 members of parliament, requesting England not to play.
Despite the pressure, the ECB decided against boycotting the match, considering various practical factors. However, ECB chairman Richard Thompson strongly condemned Afghanistan’s treatment of women, calling it “horrific” and urging the ICC and the global cricketing community to take a united stand.
The issue resurfaced during both teams’ pre-match press conferences in Lahore. Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stated that they, too, want everyone in Afghanistan, including women, to play cricket but acknowledged the political challenges beyond their control. He emphasized that their focus remains on the game.
On the other hand, England captain Jos Buttler expressed deep sympathy for Afghan women and hoped that cricket could bring them some joy despite the hardships.
A Rematch with History
The last time these two teams met, Afghanistan stunned England with a 69-run victory in the 2023 World Cup in Delhi. Shahidi’s team sees that win as inspiration, but he acknowledges that every match is a new challenge.
“That match against England in 2023 was a great one for us, and we won. That confidence stays with us, but that game is in the past. We need a fresh mindset and a new strategy this time.”
“We know England is one of the best teams in the world, so this will be a tough challenge. But we are ready. We’ve worked hard to get to this stage, and we’ll approach this match with a positive mindset. The 2023 World Cup win gives us confidence, but this is a new day, a new match. We will give our best to beat them.”
Buttler, meanwhile, has plenty of respect for Afghanistan but remains confident in England’s ability to win.
“They are a very competitive team, constantly improving, and we have great respect for them. Their style is unique, and they have fantastic spinners like Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, so we must prepare well.”
“But while we respect our opponents, our focus must also be on ourselves—making sure we play at our best. If we do that, we’ll be in a strong position to win.”
